Biosynthesis and catalytic activity of Pd/NiFe2O4 nanocomposite for the reduction of wastewater pollutants

Abstract

AbstractIn the present work, preparation of nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) and its surface modification by biosynthesized Pd nanoparticles (NPs) were carried out. Firstly, NiFe2O4 NPs were synthesized via a facile combustion approach and then Pd NP biosynthesized on their surface by using an aqueous Marrubium vulgare L leaf extract. Prepared NiFe2O4 NPs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope(FESEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDXA) techniques, in which confirmed well dispersion of spherical Pd NPs on the surface of magnetic NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. Catalytic activity of Pd/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites were evaluated in reduction of Methylene Blue (MB), Methyl Orange (MO) and Congo Red (CR) azo dyes in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). Observed results showed the reduction/decolorization times in the presence of magnetically recoverable Pd/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites were very shorter than that of NiFe2O4 catalyst. Keywords: Pd nanoparticles; NiFe2O4 nanoparticles; M. vulgare L; Catalytic Reduction.