Reusable and Robust Pd Catalysts Immobilized on Amino-Functionalized Magnetite Nanocomposites for Efficient Reduction Reactions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.12956Keywords:
Magnetite, Nanoparticle, Palladium, Carboxymethyl chitosan, Reduction, Magnetite, Nanoparticle, Palladium, Reduction, Carboxymethyl chitosanAbstract
Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and amino-rich polymers were synthesized for the immobilization of Pd and employed as reusable catalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4NP). The CMC coating enhanced the water dispersibility of the catalysts, while the amino-rich polymer provided abundant amino functional groups that served as strong ligands for Pd nanoparticle coordination. The catalysts were thoroughly characterized using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), confirming the successful formation of MNPs coated with CMC-grafted amino-rich polymer as a support for Pd nanoparticles. ICP-OES analysis revealed Pd loadings between 3.82 and 6.84 wt%, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) further verified the presence of Pd on the catalyst surface. PCS results indicated that the Pd-coated MNPs carried a negative surface charge. The synthesized catalysts were easily recovered and separated from solution using an external magnet and demonstrated excellent catalytic activity in the reduction of 4NP. Among them, the first- and second-generation Pd-loaded catalysts (G1Pd and G2Pd) exhibited outstanding catalytic performance and could be efficiently reused for up to 11 cycles without significant loss of activity.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Synthesis of carboxymethyl chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles for the immobilization of Pd and its use as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in water were presented.
- The carboxylate groups in carboxymethyl chitosan provided the coordinating sites for Pd immobilization and improved the particle dispersibility in water.
- The incorporation of amino-enriched components to the particle reduced the degree of Pd aggregation on the particle surface.
- The catalysts had high catalytic performance for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in water and exhibited highly robust properties with excellent reusability for up to 11 cycles with insignificant changes in their performance.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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