Reduction of 4-Chlorophenol by Mg and Mg–Ag Bimetallic Nanocatalysts

Abstract

Mg nanocatalyst is successfully synthesized in the present study using wet chemical method via the chemical reduction of magnesium sulfate and a reducing agent (sodium borohydride). Size/size distribution characterization is performed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subsequently, 4-chlorophenol compound reduction is systematically studied with Mg catalyst. An ultraviolet–visible light (UV–vis) spectrophotometer is used to study the absorption spectra of in situ reduction reaction with time. Gradual disappearance of the peak corresponding to chloro compounds reveals the degradation of chloro compounds with time. Furthermore, the appearance of a new peak reveals the formation of a respective product (phenol). Mg–Ag bimetallic nanocatalyst is also synthesized via an equivalent chemical method and analogous reduction is performed with the catalyst. The performance of the Mg–Ag bimetallic catalyst is compared with that of the Mg nanocatalyst. Superior dechlorination percentage is observed with the Mg–Ag bimetallic nanocatalyst.