Efficient reduction of hexavalent chromium and 4-nitrophenol using Ag NPs/Zeolite 13X nanocomposite as a green and retrievable catalyst

In the present study, the Ag NPs/Zeolite 13X nanocomposite as an effective catalyst was prepared through the reduction of Ag+ ions using Tragopogon graminifolius extract as the reducing and stabilizing agent and Ag NPs immobilization on Zeolite 13X surface in the absence of any stabilizer or surfactant. Several techniques such as FT-IR spectroscopy, UVVis spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize Zeolite 13X, Ag NPs, and Ag NPs/ Zeolite 13X. Moreover, the catalytic activity of the Ag NPs/Zeolite 13X nanocomposite was investigated in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and chromium (VI) at room temperature. According to the experimental results in this study, Ag NPs/Zeolite 13X nanocomposite was found to be of high catalytic activity. In addition, Ag NPs/Zeolite 13X nanocomposite can be recovered and reused several times in the reduction of 4-NP and chromium (VI) with no significant loss of catalytic activity.