Catalytic performance of boron-containing magnetic metal nanoparticles in methylene blue degradation reaction and mixture with other pollutants

Abstract The catalytic effects of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) synthesized in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) microemulsion system by using M(II) salts (M = Fe, Co, Ni) and NaBH4 reducing agent on methylene blue (MB) degradation reaction were investigated. It was determined that Co-MNPs gave the best catalytic activity among them. Influence of the reaction parameters e.g., reaction time, temperature, the size of catalyst and the MNP types on the catalytic performance were studied. It was found that 37 ± 6 nm Co-MNPs revealed the best catalytic activity in all studies. The best activation parameters were calculated as 13.6 ± 1.1 kJ mol−1 and ΔH = 10.7 ± 1.0 kJ mol−1 and ΔS = -87.9 ± 5.4 J mol−1 K−1. The activity % of Co-MNPs was calculated as 85.4 after 30 days on the shelf life study. The reusability studies were carried out and the activity of Co-MNPs at the 5th reuse was calculated as 70 ± 5%. Finally, the catalytic activity of Co-MNPs was investigated inside equal volumes of single and multiple solution mixtures containing MB, 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) and Eosin Y (EY). In the examinations, it was observed that the nanocatalyst was effective as a reducing agent in all equal amount solutions (MB/4-NP, MB/EY, 4-NP/EY, and MB/4-NP/EY). And also, TOF (mole of MB/4-NP/EY) (mol catalyst.min)−1 values ​​of catalytic activities were also calculated.