Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol using CuO@Na₂Ti(PO₄)₂⋅H₂O

Abstract

This article presents the synthesis, property characterization and catalytic application of CuO-supported disodium titanium phosphate, (CuO@Na₂Ti(PO₄)₂⋅H₂O) for the reduction of industrial pollutant 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). A simple hydrothermal route was developed to synthesize CuO@Na₂Ti(PO₄)₂⋅H₂O catalyst (CuO@Na₂TiP) from beach sand ilmenite. The prepared CuO@Na₂TiP was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The catalyst 12 wt.% CuO@Na₂TiP showed the fastest reduction kinetics for 4-NP.

Keywords:

• 4-nitrophenol
• cupric oxide
• sodium titanium phosphate
• catalytic reduction

Data availability

Data access is available on request through Research Council of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (https://www.sjp.ac.lk/research/council/).

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by University of Sri Jayewardenepura with the grant numbers ASP/01/RE/SCI/2019/31 and ASP/01/RE/SCI/2018/14. The authors also thank Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd, Sri Lanka for providing ilmenite samples, Central Instrument Facility of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura for XRD, BET, and TG sample analysis, and University of Moratuwa for SEM/EDAX analysis. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support given by Mr. Pubudu Jayaweera in computational calculations and data analysis. This material is also financially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CHE 1710120.