Tin oxide nanocatalyst assisted transformation of p-Nitrophenol to p-Aminophenol

Abstract

We have successfully synthesized the SnO2 nanoparticles by using simple and inexpensive solvothermal technique. XRD pattern of as-synthesized product showed the formation of monophasic tetragonal SnO2 nanoparticles. The morphology of SnO2 was observed by FESEM which show irregular and rough shaped nanoparticles. Elemental and chemical composition analysis of SnO2 nanoparticles was carried out by EDAX analysis which confirms the presence of Sn and O in as-synthesized nanoparticles. The determination of specific surface area of as-synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles was done by BET method and it is found to be 35.5 m2/g. The optical properties of SnO2 nanoparticles were studied by using UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy which gives an optical band gap of 3.34 eV. The catalytic conversion of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol was performed to evaluate the efficiency of as-synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles as reducing catalyst. The catalytic reduction reaction was accomplished in presence of NaBH4 and water at room temperature. The observed investigations signpost that as-prepared SnO2 nanoparticles act as an effective nanocatalyst in the process of reduction.