Synthesis and characterization of Pd nanoparticle-modified magnetic Sm2O3–ZrO2 as effective multifunctional catalyst for reduction of 2-nitrophenol and degradation of organic dyes

Abstract

In this study, Pd nanoparticle-modified magnetic Sm2O3–ZrO2 material (Pd–Fe3O4–Sm2O3–ZrO2) as multifunctional catalyst was fabricated and used for catalytic reduction of 2-nitrophenol compound, degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B dyes, which are toxic pollutants. The magnetic material was used for the first time as a catalyst for the reduction and degradation studies. Pd nanoparticle-modified magnetic Sm2O3–ZrO2 catalyst was prepared using the deposition–precipitation methods and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy and BET surface analyzer. The Pd nanoparticle-modified magnetic Sm2O3–ZrO2 material can lead to high catalytic activity for the reduction of 2-nitrophenol and degradation of rhodamine B and methylene blue with > 95% conversion within ~ 2 and 80 s even when the content of Pd in it is as low as 5.8 wt%.