Strategically designed reduced graphene oxide based magnetic responsive nanocatalysts for the attenuation of recalcitrant pollutants. Issue 3 (15th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kapoor, Surbhi; Kumar, Vinod; Tikoo, K.B.; Chudasama, Bhupendra; Goel, Neetu; Singhal, Sonal
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 46:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 2724
• Page End: 2742
• Publication Date: 2020-02-15
• Subjects: B. Nanocomposites -- D. Ferrites -- Catalysis; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.09.262
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: The present work attempts to capture the augmentation in the catalytic activity of ferrite (MFe2 O4 ) nanoparticles by employing reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as its solid support that not only provides space for dispersion but also increases the catalytically active sites of nanoferrites. MFe2 O4 /xRGO (M = Co, Ni and x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 wt% GO) were prepared via facile hydrothermal method and their physical characteristics were probed by FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, VSM and BET analysis. Furthermore, the fabricated samples were explored as versatile catalysts for the remediation of hazardous environmental pollutants via oxidation of a cationic dye, an anionic dye and an antibiotic; and reduction of 2-, 3- and 4-nitrophenol. The catalytic behavior of MFe2 O4 /xRGO was found to be dependent on presence of RGO as solid support as well as on the amount of GO added. The synergistic interaction between dispersed ferrite nanoparticles and RGO sheet was the reason behind the superior catalytic activity of RGO supported nanoferrites in comparison with pure nanoferrites, whereas the increase in specific surface area accounted for augmented activity with increased GO content. High reaction rates were observed even in the absence of light irradiation using MFe2 O4 /RGO nanocomposites for oxidation reactions. However, for the reduction of nitrophenols, the introduction of RGO resulted in the transformation of inactive CoFe2 O4 into highly active catalysts. Also, the usage of just 2 mol% of RGO supported nanoferrites gave astonishing reduction rates. Moreover, the nanocomposites manifested excellent recyclability furthering the humanitarian cause to remove environmental pollutants. Graphical abstract: The augmentation in the catalytic performance of ferrite nanoparticles by introduction of RGO as solid support has been demonstrated for the mitigation of environmental pollutants via oxidation and reduction; and increase in the catalytic efficacy has been observed with increase in GO content. Image 1 Highlights: Beneficial modification of nanoferrites via introduction of RGO as solid support. High performance catalysts for the oxidation and reduction of pollutants. Proficient oxidation of pollutants even in absence of light source. High reduction rates achieved even using low catalyst amount. Dramatic enhancement in catalytic activity with increase in GO content.