Catalytic degradation of substituted chloro- and nitro-phenols by chemically synthesized bimetallic nanoalloys

Stable oxide free nano-alloys of Fe-Pd and Fe-Mg/sub 2,/ synthesized by simple chemical approach, were found to have good catalytic activity towards degradation of three substituted phenols i.e. 2-chloro phenol (2-CP), 4-chloro phenol (4-CP) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The alloys Fe-Pd and Fe-Mg/sub 2/ have the average particle size of 15 and 30 nm as affirmed by AFM and TEM. The room temperature studies carried out in the absence of sunlight had shown 100% degradation of 4-CP and 4-NP to environmental friendly degradation products by all the three nanoalloys as affirmed by GC-MS, while for 2-CP exception were found for Fe-Pd. Among the two nanoalloys Fe-Mg/sub 2/ is the most effective and economic alternative to the existing catalysts as it results in 100% degradation of all the substituted phenols at ambient conditions of temperature and pressure and without the use of any other external source. (author)