Synthesis of AgCu/BNNSs nanocomposites and their significantly enhanced catalytic activity driven by near—infrared photothermal effects

Using a one-step co-reduction method, AgCu bimetallic nanoparticles have been successfully loaded onto few-layer boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs), which possess high thermal conductivity. The structure and morphology of both the support and the catalyst were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Furthermore, the influence of near-infrared laser irradiation on the catalytic performance of the catalyst was investigated. The study found that the Ag₁Cu₁/BNNSs nanocomposite exhibited significant catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). This nanocomposite had an activation energy of only 42.9 kJ/mol and maintained high catalytic activity even after six cycles. Additionally, it was found that near-infrared laser irradiation further enhanced the catalytic activity of the composite material. This enhancement was primarily attributed to the photothermal effect of Ag nanoparticles. Moreover, the BNNSs possess high thermal conductivity. They transferred the photothermal energy generated by the Ag nanoparticles to the external environment, thereby further enhancing the local thermal effect of the catalyst. This work provided a foundation for advancing near-infrared or solar photothermal-enhanced bimetallic nanocomposite catalytic systems.