Mesoporous IL-PMO-supported bimetallic Cu0/Ni0 quantum dots serve as an extremely impressive catalyst for the reduction of 4-NP

Bimetallic Cu 0 :Ni 0 quantum dots (3–7 nm) were successfully linked to ionic-liquid-functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilica (IL-PMO) via in situ reduction of metal salt precursors, yielding a nanocomposite designated Cu 0 :Ni 0 QDs/IL-PMO. We used a coprecipitation method to prepare Cu 0 :Ni 0 QDs at various molar ratios (Cu:Ni = 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1), using NaBH 4 as the reducing agent. Among these compositions, the Cu:Ni (2:1) sample illustrated the most efficient catalytic activity and the strongest reusability in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The resulting nanocatalyst was characterized in detail by using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) analysis. Due to synergistic effects between the two metals, the Cu 0 :Ni 0 QDs demonstrated considerably higher catalytic activity compared to their monometallic counterparts. Additionally, the reaction kinetics were monitored using a UV–Vis spectrometer.