Effect of preparation temperature and ions doping on size, morphology and catalytic activity of Co-B amorphous nano catalyst

Abstract

Binary and quaternary amorphous nano powders are prepared by wet reduction method. Cobalt boride nano catalyst is synthesized at 10 and 60 ºC. Effect of preparation temperature on size and morphology was studied. Co-M-Zr-B (M: Cr, Mo and W) as quaternary catalysts are also prepared in order to studying ions doping on chemical and physical properties. Indeed, the obtained materials are characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, BET and ICP techniques. No distinct peak could be observed in XRD patterns indicating that the all catalysts possessed amorphous. The catalytic activity of the synthesized catalysts is investigated for the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of excess NaBH₄ in aqueous medium at room temperature (298 K). It is found that our catalysts are highly active for high concentrations of 4-NP, 25-200 ppm.

KEY WORDS: Amorphous, Nano catalyst, Metal boride, Reduction, Nitrophenol

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2015, 29(1), 105-116

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v29i1.9