Microwave-assisted synthesis of palladium nanoparticles using Frankincense resin and evaluation of their catalytic properties

Schematic representation of microwave assisted synthesis of palladium nanoparticles using frankincense resin and their catalytic application. [Display omitted] •Rapid green method of Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) synthesis devoid of toxic chemicals.•Frankincense resin extract is the sole reducing and capping agent for PdNPs of 11 ± 2 nm.•Efficient catalytic degradation of methylene blue and Congo red dye pollutants.•Successful recovery and reuse of PdNPs catalyst over five cycles. The present study describes a microwave-assisted synthesis of well-dispersed palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs). For the first time,Frankincense resin (FR) obtained from the tree of Boswellia sacra is explored for the preparation of PdNPs. This method is rapid, inexpensive and devoid of toxic chemicals. FR aqueous extract with reducing polysaccharides and other phytochemicals served as an effective reducing and stabilizing agent for PdNPs. Formation of PdNPs was preliminarily confirmed by UV–visible and mechanism of formation was proposed from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopic images displayed spherical PdNPs with an average size of 11 ± 2 nm. Catalytic activity studies revealed that the PdNPs act as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of both cationic (Methylene Blue) and anionic (Congo red) dye pollutants. Moreover, the PdNPs can be recovered and reused for five cycles without a significant loss in their catalytic activity.