Preparation of hyperstar polymers with encapsulated Au25(SR)18 clusters as recyclable catalysts for nitrophenol reduction

A robust approach is developed to prepare hyperstar polymer–Au25(SR)18 nanocomposites for catalysis. The synthesis started with atom transfer radical copolymerization of an inimer with a cyclic disulfide-containing methacrylate monomer in a microemulsion to produce hyperbranched copolymers with high molar mass, low polydispersity, and a vital fraction of dangling disulfide groups. The core–shell structured hyperstar polymers were then prepared using hyperbranched copolymers as macroinitiators to polymerize oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (Mn = 500) and grow the radiating arms. The hyperstar polymers with disulfide groups were proved to efficiently encapsulate Au25(SR)18 nanoclusters through ligand exchange without destroying the fine structure of the Au25(SR)18 clusters. The obtained hyperstar-Au25(SR)18 nanocomposites showed great stability with no size change after a three-month shelf storage. They were used as efficient catalysts for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol by NaBH4, showing convenient recovery and reuse without losing catalytic efficiency.