Eucommia ulmoides extract assisted green nanopalladium for efficient catalysis of diverse azo dyes

Abstract

The eco-friendly synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) utilizing plant phytochemicals has demonstrated its efficacy as a nano-catalyst for azo dye degradation. However, the catalytic prowess of these nanoparticles has been predominantly explored on specific model compounds. Consequently, a fundamental inquiry arises: Can these nanoparticles uniformly catalyze a spectrum of diverse azo dyes, irrespective of structural intricacies, azo bond quantity, side-chain functional groups, molecular weight (Mw) fluctuations, water solubility gradients, ionic characteristics, and dye classification (reactive or acid)? To address this comprehensively, nine azo compounds, encompassing the aforementioned criteria, were systematically chosen for catalysis utilizing the synthesized PdNPs. The synthesized particles were spherical (∼10.5 nm in diameter) with highly crystalline surfaces (d-spacing of 0.194–0.224 nm) and have a uniform size distribution. Employing green chemistry principles and Eucommia ulmoides bark extract (EUBE), this synthesis exhibits exceptional catalytic efficiency across a varied array of azo dyes, achieving degradation rates of up to 99% within 1–5 minutes. This methodical exploration offers a holistic understanding of the catalytic capabilities of PdNPs, shedding light on their potential applicability across a diverse spectrum of azo compounds, thereby propelling advancements in the field.