Synthesis and characterization of SiO₂-Chitosan supported AgNPs and its catalytic application for reduction of malachite green

Abstract

Designing novel nanocatalysts for the reduction of water borne dyes is a topic of recent research interest. A new composite, SiO₂-chitosan supported AgNPs (3-11%), has been synthesized and characterized through FT-IR, XRD, BET and SEM. The catalytic activity of the composites has been investigated through reduction of malachite green as a model reaction in the presence of NaBH₄. The reduction is rapid and followed pseudo first order kinetics. Increase of pH increased the rate of reduction compared to low <em>p</em>H, as at a low <em>p</em>H, NaBH₄ decomposed directly and rapidly. An increase in NaBH₄ content also increased the rate. The results indicate that the reduction can also be extended to other water borne reducible contaminants.