Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic application of ecofriendly Ca‐bridged aminoclay

Abstract

A novel ecofriendly Ca nanoparticle bridged aminoclay (AC) catalyst was prepared for the reduction of hazardous pollutants to treat the industrial wastewater. It was characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, UV‐visible spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectrum (EDX), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques. Water contact angle (WCA) measurement was used to confirm the hydrophobicity of AC after the structural modification reaction. Disappearance of free N−H stretching in the FT‐IR spectrum confirmed the chemical modification of AC by Ca nanoparticle. The above‐synthesized Ca nanoparticle bridged AC was used as a catalyst for the reduction of p‐nitrophenol (NP), chromium (VI) and fluorescein (fluor) dye and also for oxidative Schiff base formation. The UV‐visible spectrum confirmed the complex formation between chromium (VI) and NP by noting a peak at 390 nm. The kapp value was computed to assess the efficiency of the catalyst toward the reduction of hazardous pollutants in the industrial effluents. The catalytic reduction of a tricomponent system is disturbed due to the change in pH and complex formation between the pollutants, etc. The present catalyst system reduced the two‐step reaction into a single‐step reaction for the Schiff base formation.