Abstract

The efficient and cost-effective conversion of nitro compounds to amines is crucial for industrial processes and environmental remediation, highlighting the demand for earth abundant metal-based catalysts. In this study, magnetic Ni-NiO nanostructures and their composites with two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) were synthesized via a simple, scalable combustion method. The structural, morphological, and compositional properties of the synthesized materials were thoroughly investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis analysis. The catalytic activity of both Ni-NiO and h-BN/Ni-NiO nanostructures was evaluated for nitrophenol reduction as model reaction. The h-BN/Ni-NiO nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic performance compared to pure Ni-NiO, highlighting the synergistic effects between h-BN and the Ni-NiO nanoparticles. Notably, the magnetic nature of the Ni-NiO core facilitated easy recovery of the catalyst using an external magnetic field, and the composite demonstrated excellent stability and reusability upto 6 catalytic cycles with minimal loss of activity. The combination of high catalytic efficiency, magnetic separability, and structural stability enable the h-BN/Ni-NiO nanocomposite a promising candidate for green and sustainable catalytic applications, particularly in environmental remediation.

Abstract

The efficient and cost-effective conversion of nitro compounds to amines is crucial for industrial processes and environmental remediation, highlighting the demand for earth abundant metal-based catalysts. In this study, magnetic Ni-NiO nanostructures and their composites with two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) were synthesized via a simple, scalable combustion method. The structural, morphological, and compositional properties of the synthesized materials were thoroughly investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis analysis. The catalytic activity of both Ni-NiO and h-BN/Ni-NiO nanostructures was evaluated for nitrophenol reduction as model reaction. The h-BN/Ni-NiO nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic performance compared to pure Ni-NiO, highlighting the synergistic effects between h-BN and the Ni-NiO nanoparticles. Notably, the magnetic nature of the Ni-NiO core facilitated easy recovery of the catalyst using an external magnetic field, and the composite demonstrated excellent stability and reusability upto 6 catalytic cycles with minimal loss of activity. The combination of high catalytic efficiency, magnetic separability, and structural stability enable the h-BN/Ni-NiO nanocomposite a promising candidate for green and sustainable catalytic applications, particularly in environmental remediation.

Abstract

The efficient and cost-effective conversion of nitro compounds to amines is crucial for industrial processes and environmental remediation, highlighting the demand for earth abundant metal-based catalysts. In this study, magnetic Ni-NiO nanostructures and their composites with two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) were synthesized via a simple, scalable combustion method. The structural, morphological, and compositional properties of the synthesized materials were thoroughly investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis analysis. The catalytic activity of both Ni-NiO and h-BN/Ni-NiO nanostructures was evaluated for nitrophenol reduction as model reaction. The h-BN/Ni-NiO nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic performance compared to pure Ni-NiO, highlighting the synergistic effects between h-BN and the Ni-NiO nanoparticles. Notably, the magnetic nature of the Ni-NiO core facilitated easy recovery of the catalyst using an external magnetic field, and the composite demonstrated excellent stability and reusability upto 6 catalytic cycles with minimal loss of activity. The combination of high catalytic efficiency, magnetic separability, and structural stability enable the h-BN/Ni-NiO nanocomposite a promising candidate for green and sustainable catalytic applications, particularly in environmental remediation.

Abstract

The efficient and cost-effective conversion of nitro compounds to amines is crucial for industrial processes and environmental remediation, highlighting the demand for earth abundant metal-based catalysts. In this study, magnetic Ni-NiO nanostructures and their composites with two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) were synthesized via a simple, scalable combustion method. The structural, morphological, and compositional properties of the synthesized materials were thoroughly investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis analysis. The catalytic activity of both Ni-NiO and h-BN/Ni-NiO nanostructures was evaluated for nitrophenol reduction as model reaction. The h-BN/Ni-NiO nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic performance compared to pure Ni-NiO, highlighting the synergistic effects between h-BN and the Ni-NiO nanoparticles. Notably, the magnetic nature of the Ni-NiO core facilitated easy recovery of the catalyst using an external magnetic field, and the composite demonstrated excellent stability and reusability upto 6 catalytic cycles with minimal loss of activity. The combination of high catalytic efficiency, magnetic separability, and structural stability enable the h-BN/Ni-NiO nanocomposite a promising candidate for green and sustainable catalytic applications, particularly in environmental remediation.