Recyclable palladium based nano-catalytic laborer encaged within bio-granules for dye degradation

Abstract

Exploitation of water insoluble natural polymers in fabrication of recyclable nano-catalyst is extensively concerned to act as a competitive catalyst for the conventional catalyst. Chitin as water insoluble biopolymer was currently selected to act as biopolymer for anchoring of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs@chitin). The affinity of chitin for encaging of Pd NPs was systematically monitored under both of acidic and basic conditions. Under basic conditions, small sized Pd NPs (38.5 nm) were successfully produced with size distribution and surface area of 20 – 59 nm and 20.17 m2/g, respectively. While, in acidic medium, size distribution and surface area were 260 – 885 nm and 8.89 m2/g, respectively. The analysis data approved the mechanism for anchoring of Pd NPs within chitin matrix. The catalytic potentiality of the prepared Pd NPs@chitin as recyclable nano-catalyst was followed up in accelerating the reductive degradation of acidic blue 193. The kinetic studies affirmed that complete reductive degradation of dye was very fast with estimated t1/2 of 1.6 minute and rate constant k1 of 424.9 × 10−3 min−1. After 5 reusing cycles, the catalytic reactivity of the Pd NPs@chitin was slightly decreased and the dye was fully degraded within ca. 15 minute. Excellence in recyclability for the synthesized Pd NPs@chitin approved its compatibility to serve several times for catalysis in degradation of hazards organic pollutants.