Metal nanoparticles (Au, Ag, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ir, Rh, Au–Pd alloyetc.) supported on inert support (ZrO2, zeolite) can be direct photocatalysts to series of organic synthesis with visible light irradiation.

Silver-palladium (Ag-Pd) alloy nanoparticles strongly absorb visible light and exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity compared to both pure palladium (Pd) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. Photocatalysts of Ag-Pd alloy nanoparticles on ZrO and AlO supports are developed to catalyze the nitroaromatic coupling to the corresponding azo compounds under visible light irradiation. Ag-Pd alloy NP/ZrO exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for nitrobenzene coupling to azobenzene (yield of ∼80% in 3 hours). The photocatalytic efficiency could be optimized by altering the Ag : Pd ratio of the alloy nanoparticles, irradiation light intensity, temperature and wavelength. The rate of the reaction depends on the population and energy of the excited electrons, which can be improved by increasing the light intensity or by using a shorter wavelength. The knowledge developed in this study may inspire further studies on Ag alloy photocatalysts and organic syntheses using Ag-Pd nanoparticle catalysts driven under visible light Irradiation.

Alumina is an important metal oxide used in a wide range of applications. It is a challenge to synthesize stable γ-alumina nanoparticles because; γ-phase of alumina is not as stable as α phase of alumina. But γ-alumina owns a higher surface area making it a good candidate for many industrial applications such as catalyst, catalytic support for petroleum refining, absorbent, alcohol dehydration, catalytic reduction of automotive pollutants like NOx, CO and hydrocarbons. This research focuses on synthesis, characterization and study of phase identification of pure γalumina nanoparticles. Modified "Pechini method"

No abstract