Scientific Reports (Aug 2017)
A Sustainable Nanocomposite Au(Salen)@CC for Catalytic Degradation of Eosin Y and Chromotrope 2R Dyes
Abstract
Abstract Up to now, a very few catalysts have been developed approaching the heterogeneous catalytic degradation of Eosin Y and Chromotrope 2R dyes (Acid Red 29). The present study provides a complete perspective of recyclable nanocomposite Au(Salen)@CC for catalytic degradation of hazardous water pollutant dyes viz., Eosin Y & Chromotrope 2R using mild reaction conditions. New gold Salen complex doped carbon nanocomposite Au(Salen)@CC was developed by easy methodology using nano carbon cage (CC) prepared from low-priced Pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO) residue based Pitch. The UV-Vis adsorption spectroscopy results of Eosin Y and Chromotrope 2R dyes indicated complete degradation into acidic compounds which can be further mineralized to CO2 and H2O under mild reaction conditions. The heterogeneous catalyst recycled and reused successfully for four repeated experiments without loss in its adequate performance. This new sustainable and eco-friendly catalyst delivered significant degradation activity compared to existing reports and it can be further utilized for new multifunctional applications such as, radiopharmaceutical activities, heterogeneous catalysis and chiral resolution.