Fast catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol by Cu/HAP/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite

Abstract In this study, we reports the synthesis, characterization and application of the novel Cu/HAP/ZnFe2O4 nanocomposite. The composite was synthesized in three steps and well characterized by various characterization techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, powdered X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, selected area electron diffraction studies, vibrating sample magnetometer analysis and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The nanocomposite Cu/HAP/ZnFe2O4 show excellent catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride at room temperature. Remarkably the catalyst took less than five-second for complete (100%) reduction of p-nitrophenol to the corresponding p-aminophenol. The composite was very stable and show the same catalytic efficiency for five consecutive cycles. This recyclable, environment-friendly, highly stable and low-cost catalyst has the enormous potential in the transformation of p-nitrophenol to the corresponding p-aminophenol as well as to remove the hazardous chemicals such as p-nitrophenol from the environment as a whole.