Preparation of Pt, Pd and Cu nano single and bimetallic systems-supported NaY zeolite and test their activity in p-nitrophenol reduction and as anticancer agents

Abstract

The quest of new materials with higher catalytic activity and new biological applications does not end. Single and bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs)-supported NaY zeolite were prepared using NaBH4 as reducing agent. Platinum, copper and palladium NPs were prepared as single nanometals-supported NaY. Copper (inexpensive transition metal) was used as a common metal to prepare nano-bimetallic systems, namely, PtCuY and PdCuY. The samples were investigated by ICP, XRD, FTIR, TEM and the surface texture parameters were measured as well at 77 K. TEM images proved the formation of Pt, Cu and Pd metals nanoparticles on NaY support with particle size of 14, 41 and 50 nm, respectively. However, after using copper as a common metal, the size decreased to 6 and 25 nm in PtCuY and PdCuY, respectively.The activity of the prepared nanomaterials towards the reduction of p-nitrophenol (PNP) by NaBH4 was in the order of CuY > PdY > PtY. Copper increased the activity of Pt and Pd towards the reduction of PNP with 5 and 14 times in case of PdCuY and PtCuY, respectively. The antitumor activity of the prepared systems will be investigated against hepatocarcinoma. Copper nanoparticles showed the highest inhibiting activity (lowering IC50) as single system, moreover, it promoted the inhibiting activity of PtCuY rather than PtPdY.