Synthesis and Characterization of GO-Chit-Ni Nanocomposite as a Recoverable Nanocatalyst for Reducing Nitroarenes in Water

In the present study, nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) immobilized on graphene oxide-chitosan (GO-Chit-Ni) have been synthesized and characterized as a catalyst for reduction of nitroarenes in water. For this purpose, GO has been functionalized with chitosan (GO-Chit). Then, Ni-NPs were immobilized on the surface of GO-Chit using a simple method. The GO-Chi-Ni nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction Measurements (XRD), and Atomic Adsorption Spectrometry (AAS). The GO-Chi-Ni nanoparticles demonstrated appropriate catalytic activity in reducing nitroarenes to aryl amines in the existence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) aqueous solution as a hydrogen source at 80oC. This catalytic system applies environmentally benign water as a solvent that is cheap, easily accessible, non-toxic, non-volatile, non-flammable and thermally stable. This type of catalyst can be applied several times with no considerable change in its performance.