Low-Ag-content Ni3N-Ni/Ag@C catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Background: Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) is a recurrent topic. The most promising catalysts are often regarded as noble metals. But maintaining high catalytic performance while reducing the number of noble metals remains a significant difficulty. Here, a 0.6 weight percent (wt%) Ag-based catalyst was used to catalyze the reduction of 4-NP in contaminated water.Methods: Using a one-step urea-glass method and annealing at 380 degrees C, Ni3N-Ni heterostructures were implanted in a carbon matrix, and subsequently Ag nanoparticles were introduced to the Ni3N-Ni@C by galvanically substituting Ni for AgNO3. Spectra in the UV-vis range were employed to track the reduction reaction. In- vestigations were done into how both inorganic and organic species affected catalytic effectiveness.Significant Results: Compared to Ni3N-Ni@C and Ni/Ag (0.6 wt%)@C, Ni3N-Ni/Ag (0.6 wt%)@C displayed good catalytic activity and stability toward 4-NP reduction with a rate constant of 8.1 x 103 s-1 gom. The catalytic efficiency was essentially unaffected by the interferents. The catalyst could quickly purify lake water that was contaminated with very concentrated 4-NP (140 ppm) in about 6 min.