Catalytic reduction of Nitrophenols using silver nanoparticles-supported activated carbon derived from agro-waste

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2018-02, Vol.6 (1), p.28-36
• Main Authors: Sudhakar, Padmaja, Soni, Harnish
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon support; Agrowaste; Nanosilver; Nitrphenol reduction
• ISSN: 2213-3437; 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2017.11.053

[Display omitted] •Palm Shell derived Carbon was used as support for nano silver(Agnp-PSAC).•Silver nanoparticles were well dispersed on PSAC.•The green synthesised Agnp-PSAC was characterized by diverse techniques.•The catalytic potential of Agnp-PSAC for reduction of nitrophenols was investigated.•4-Nitrophenol, Dinitrophenol and Trinitrophenols could be effectively reduced. Immobilization of Ag nanoparticles (Agnps) on solid supports has been considered as the most efficient way to prevent their aggregation and use them as catalysts. Agrowaste derived carbons provide enormous benefits such as environmentally friendliness, economic viability and porosity when used as supports for Agnps. The present study was conducted to investigate the use of palm shell agrowaste derived catbon(Agnp-PSAC) as a support for Ag nanoparticles. The prepared Agnp-PSAC was characterized using Transmission electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spetroscopy (SEM-EDAX), Raman and UV–visible spectroscopic techniques. The catalytic potential of the prepared Agnp-PSAC was investigated. Nitrophenols such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and 2,4,6 tri nitrophenol (TNP) were used as substrates. The supported Agnps could be reused upto four cycles. The reduction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. A value added application of palm shell derived activated carbon is thus proposed.