In situ synthesis and catalytic properties of Cu2O nanoparticles based on clay materials and polyethylene glycol

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2019-05, Vol.21 (5), p.1-11, Article 97
• Main Authors: Imangaliyeva, Ainur N., Mastai, Yitzhak, Seilkhanova, Gulziya A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic absorption analysis; Atomic absorption spectroscopy; Atomic beam spectroscopy; Bentonite; Catalysis; Catalysts; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical reduction; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copper oxides; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Materials Science; Microscopy; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Nitrophenol; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Polyethylene glycol; Rate constants; Research Paper; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectral analysis; Spectrum analysis; X-ray diffraction; Zeolites
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-019-4548-8

A novel protocol for in situ synthesis of Cu 2 O nanoparticles immobilized on natural bentonite and zeolite and functionalized by polyethylene glycol is reported. The NPs were synthesized during the course of the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH 4 . The synthesized precursors and the catalysts Cu 2 O/PEG-BT and Cu 2 O/PEG-ZT were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray and atomic absorption spectroscopy, surface area analysis, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The diffraction and microscopy data confirmed that in situ copper oxide (I) NPs were synthesized with a size range of 20 to 40 nm. The reduction rate constants at 25 °C for Cu 2 O/PEG-BT and Cu 2 O/PEG-ZT were 1.22 × 10 −2 and 1.79 × 10 −2  s −1 , respectively. The synthesized catalysts were found to be highly effective and inexpensive. Graphical abstract