Facile Aqueous-Phase Synthesis of an Ultrasmall Bismuth Nanocatalyst for the Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol

Abstract

Bismuth metallic nanoparticles have evoked considerable interest in catalysis owing to their small size, high surface area-to-volume ratio, and low toxicity. However, the need for toxic reductants and organic solvents in their synthesis often limits their desirability for application development. Here, we describe a green strategy to synthesize bismuth nanodots via the redox reactions between bismuth nitrate and d-glucose, in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) in the basic aqueous phase. Both reagents play a crucial role in the formation of monodisperse bismuth nanodots acting as mild reducing and capping agents, respectively. We further demonstrate that the catalytic activity of these dots via the successful reduction of the environmental contaminant 4-nitrophenol to its useful 4-aminophenol analogue requiring only 36 μg/mL nanocatalyst for 20 mM of the substrate. Moreover, they can be recovered and recycled in multiple reactions before the onset of an appreciable loss of catalytic activity. The proposed facile synthetic route and inexpensive matrix materials lead the way to access bismuth nanodots for both the fundamental study of reactions and their industrial catalysis applications.

Use of A Hydroalcoholic Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves for the Green Synthesis of Bismuth Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Anti-Microbial and Antioxidant Activities

“…Bismuth nanodots were synthesized by the redox reaction between D-glucose and bismuth nitrate, in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone in the basic aqueous phase. The reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol requires 36 µg/mL nano-catalyst for 20 mM of the substrate [35]. A mechano-chemistry pathway was used to prepare nanostructured Ag-Bi alloys under normal conditions and with the minimum amount of solvent.…”

Green synthesis of crystalline bismuth nanoparticles using lemon juice

“…[2][3][4] Bismuth nanoparticles (BiNPs) are the most extensively used nanostructures of bismuth. For example, BiNPs are utilized as contrast agents for computed tomography, photoacoustic imaging and infrared thermal imaging, 5,6 catalysts for the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds, 7,8 and removal of NO from air. 9 Furthermore, BiNPs can act as intermediates for the synthesis of other nanostructures of bismuth, such as thermoelectric Bi 2 Te 3 (ref.…”

Sol-Gel Biotemplating Route with Cellulose Nanocrystals to Design Photocatalyst Boosting the Hydrogen Generation

“…47 These orbits correspond to Bi 3+ oxide state in Bi2O3, and the slight shift to lower binding energy could be due to oxygen vacancies. 48 The XPS spectra of L-TiO2/Cu shows characteristic peaks of Cu2p3/2 and Cu2p1/2 levels are respective at the BE 932.5 eV and 952.1 eV, corresponding to Cu(I) species in cuprous oxide. 49,50 The weak satellite observed at 945 eV also demonstrated the presence of Cu(I) (Fig.5 c).…”