Preparation and Application of Nanoparticles and Core-Shell Nanoparticles of Transition Metals

Preparation and Application of Nanoparticles and Core-Shell Nanoparticles of Transition Metals

There is an increasing need for the development of environmentally viable, economically effective, highly active and renewable catalytic systems for the various applications in the industrial field. The demand for the decolorisaion of synthetic dyes using bioremediation methods has been in a decreased mode due to its lower decomposition rates. Hence in recent years the decomposition of these organic colorants considered to be a worldwide need. The term nanocatalysis has gained huge importance in recent years due to its selectivity, higher activity, and productivity compared to their bulk materials. The nanosize, shape, and large surface to volume ratio provide unique properties to the nanomaterials. The principles of green chemistry are mainly relies on the development of catalytic systems that work similar to nature. Nanocatalyst combines both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and provides rapid and selective chemical transformations with high yield and easier separation of catalyst at the end of reaction. In this work we have synthesized various metal doped magnetite nanoparticles (Ferrite nanoparticles-NdMxFe3-xO4 where M (Mn, Co, Cu, Ni)) by precipitation and hydrothermal method. The one objective of this work was to check the photocatalytic application of prepared ferrite nanoparticles for the heterogeneous photo-Fenton degradation of MB and Rh B dyes. Each dye was degraded separately under visible light and dark with the assistance of neutral pH and H2O2, in order to shows the improved activity of catalysts under visible light. The degradation experiments using the photo-Fenton systems (Fe2+/H2O2/Visible light) suggested that, the highest degradation rate was 97% for MB and 81% for Rh B within 4h and the used catalyst was NdFe3-xCuxO4, a good photo-Fenton catalyst. . We have also tried the synthesis of core- shell nanoparticles using NdFe3O4 nanoparticles with the help of polyethylene glycol as dispersing agent. The synthesized samples were characterized by various techniques like, XRD, XPS, SEM and TEM.

Minu Mathew

Chemistry