Catalytic activity of immobilized Ag and Pd nanoparticles on the magnetic natural zeolite using Chrysanthemum morifolium flower extract in the reduction/decolorization of dyes

Authors

• Akbar Rostami-Vartooni ¹
• Leila Rostami ²
• Mojtaba Bagherzadeh ³

1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Qom, Qom 3716146611, Iran.
2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Qom, Qom 3716146611, Iran
3. Reactor and Nuclear Safety School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, 81465-1589, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

In this study, Ag and Pd nanoparticles (NPs) were immobilized on natural zeolite and magnetized zeolite (Fe₃O₄/natural zeolite) by using an aqueous Chrysanthemum morifolium flower extract, as a green and low-cost method. Different techniques such as FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDS, and VSM were used for the characterization of prepared nanocomposites. The FESEM and TEM images of nanocomposites showed that the quasi-spherical Ag and Pd NPs with mostly 20–50 nm particles size have successfully formed and are well dispersed on the supports surface. The effect of various parameters such as nanocomposite type, initial dye, NaBH₄ concentrations, catalyst dose, and pH were studied in the catalytic reduction/decolorization of three organic dyes. In the absence of NaBH₄ or catalyst, no color changes were observed even after 90 min. The reduction rates of the selected dyes in the presence of stable catalysts were found to be in an order of Pd/Fe₃O₄/natural zeolite > Pd/natural zeolite > Ag/Fe₃O₄/natural zeolite > Ag/natural zeolite > Fe₃O₄/natural zeolite.

Keywords

• Natural zeolite
• Heulandite
• Fe3O4 nanocomposites
• C. morifolium
• Catalytic reduction
• Decolorization