Catalytic activity of nanocrystalline ZnM2O4 (M = Fe, Co) prepared via simple and facile synthesis of thermal decomposition of mixed metal complexes of Schiff bases generated from α-ketobutyric acid and diaminoguanidine

Abstract

Metal complexes ([ML2], where M = Fe, Co, or Zn; HL = 2-[(6-ethyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-2H-[1,2,4]triazin-3-ylidene)-hydrazono]-butyric acid, C9H13N5O3) of a Schiff base derived from α-ketobutyric acid (α-KBA) and diaminoguanidine (Damgu) were synthesized and characterized using elemental, spectral, and thermal studies. The metal complexes exhibited similar decomposition behavior, with a highly exothermic final decomposition step resulting in the formation of metal oxides. Isomorphism among the complexes was revealed using a powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique. Solid solution precursors ([Zn1/3M2/3(L)2], where M = Fe, Co) were synthesized and characterized using various physico-chemical techniques. A thermal decomposition technique was used to prepare spinel-type zinc cobaltite (ZnCo2O4) and zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanocrystalline particles with the synthesized single source precursors. Structural studies using PXRD ascertained the predominant crystal phase to be spinel. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) showed a mean nanoparticle size of 18 ± 2 nm. Magnetic measurements revealed a weak magnetic behavior in the synthesized spinels. In the aqueous phase, the spinels exhibited catalytic activity, reducing 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the presence of NaBH4 at room temperature. Additionally, the study demonstrated that the catalyst can be recovered and reused for five cycles with a more than 85% conversion efficiency.