Degradation of 4-nitrophenol in wastewater by nickel-iron nanocatalysts

Nickel-iron (NiFe) nanoparticles supported on activated carbon were synthesized using NaBH4 as a reducing agent and PVP as a stabilizing agent to prevent the nanoparticles from agglomerating or oxidizing. The entire process is carried out under an inert atmosphere to further prevent oxidation and ensure the purity of the NiFe nanoparticles. The physicochemical properties of the resulting NiFe/C samples were analyzed using SEM, TEM, BET, EDX, and XRD techniques. The NiFe nanoparticles, ranging from 3-11 nm, were evenly dispersed on the activated carbon, exhibiting a specific surface area of 850 m2/g. A complete conversion (100%) of 4-Nitrophenol within a 6-hour reaction period indicates that the catalyst is highly effective. This suggests that the Nickel-Iron (NiFe) nanoparticles supported on activated carbon are performing exceptionally well in the oxidation reaction to detoxify 4-NP. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis, structure, composition, and catalytic performance of the NiFe nanocatalyst.