Anchoring Au and Pd Nanoparticles on Covalent Organic Frameworks to Promote Near-Infrared Light-Assisted Reduction of Organic Molecules

Developing environmentally friendly and efficient plasmonic catalysts for transforming organic molecules into value-added products and advancing environmental remediation efforts are critical yet challenging endeavors. Herein, we present the rational design of a highly efficient and structurally robust plasmonic catalyst achieved by anchoring gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) nanoparticles onto covalent organic frameworks by using an in situ reduction strategy. This design is crucial for enhancing the dispersion of Au and Pd nanoparticles while preserving a large specific surface area to provide abundant active sites for catalytic reactions. The catalyst exhibited high catalytic efficiency in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and methylene blue (MB) in the presence of NaBH4, maintaining stable catalytic activity above 94% across 10 consecutive cycles. The turnover frequency (TOF) for 4-NP reduction was calculated at 0.45 mmol g–1 min–1, surpassing those of most previously reported catalysts. Under near-infrared irradiation, the localized surface plasmon resonance effect further enhanced the catalyst’s performance, accelerating the 4-NP reduction process by ∼1.5 times and achieving a higher TOF of 0.67 mmol g–1 min–1. This work offers valuable insights into the development of next-generation plasmonic catalytic ensembles, highlighting their robustness, efficiency, and broad potential in environmental remediation and chemical applications.