Synthesis and characterization of Nb2O5 supported Pd(II)@SBA15: Catalytic activity towards oxidation of benzhydrol and Rhodamine-B

The mesoporous silica (SBA15) supported niobium pentoxide(Nb2O5) along with the palladium(II) nanocomposite catalysts was synthesised. The nanocomposites (PdSBA and NbPdSBA) impregnation and stability were studied by several spectroscopic, thermal analysis, sorption and microscopic techniques (FTIR, DRS/UV–Vis, XRD, XPS, BET - nitrogen adsorption isotherms, TGA, SEM and TEM). The catalytic activity of the nanocomposites was studied in liquid phase oxidation of benzhydrol/H2O2 and photo degradation of the Rhodamine-B (RhB) under UV light irradiation. The catalytic activity of the nanocomposite NbPdSBA was shows higher catalytic activity in the benzhydrol oxidation and RhB degradation. The oxidation ability of the nanocomposites was determined by the spectrophotometrically. Thus a reusable catalyst shows comparable activity with fresh catalyst without loss of itʹs activity.