Reduction of nitrofurazone in aqueous solution by a novel catalyst based on Ag nanoparticles on mesoporous silica

Among the different noble metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have attracted immense attention due to their wide applications in various fields such as biology [1], and catalysis [2]. Several investigations have been reported on preparation and catalytic activity of Ag NPs. Nitrofurazone is a type of antibiotic and has been widely used in food-producing livestock. Cytotoxicity and DNA damage by nitrofurazone has been reported [3]. Hereby we report the synthesis of a novel catalyst based on Ag nanoparticles on mesoporous silica and its application as an effective catalyst in reduction of nitrofurazone in aqueous solution. The synthesized Fe3O4@SiO2@KIT-Ag nanomaterial was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). For example, FT-IR spectrum of Fe3O4@SiO2@KIT-6-NH2 nanocomposite is shown bands at 462 and 561 cm-1 are attributed to the Fe-O vibrations of Fe3O4 in tetrahedral and octahedral sites. In addition, the broad and intense peak at 1072 cm-1 is attributed to asymmetric stretching vibrations of Si-O-Si. Also, stretching vibration of the N-H functionalities was observed at 3421 cm-1.