Lanthanum-Zinc Binary Oxide Nanocomposite with Promising Heterogeneous Catalysis Performance for the Active Conversion of 4-Nitrophenol into 4-Aminophenol

This work intended to enhance the unique and outstanding properties of lanthanum by synthesizing its nanocomposite. A lanthanum-based nanocomposite was prepared by a simple and cost-effective "co-precipitation" method. Lanthanum nitrate (La (NO3)(3)) and zinc nitrate (Zn (NO3)(2)) were used as precursors. The lanthanum/zinc oxide nano composite formed was then calcined at 450 degrees C for 4 h in order to obtain a fine powder with size in the nano range of 1-100 nm. Characterization of the prepared catalyst was done by ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence. Crystallinity and morphology were found by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The synthesized nanocomposite material was also tested for heterogeneous catalytic applications of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction into 4-aminophenol (4-AP). It was found to be successful in complete reduction of 4-NP with enhanced catalytic performance.