Facile synthesis of magnetic Co3O4/BFO nanocomposite for effective reduction of nitrophenol isomers

Co3O4/BiFeO3 nanocomposite catalysts were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method following the impregnation process. The nanocomposite was successfully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), nitrogen adsorption desorption isotherms and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis. The as-synthesized Co3O4/BiFeO3 nanocomposites were tested as a catalyst in the reduction of nitrophenol isomers with NaBH4 at room temperature. The results indicate that the as-prepared Co3O4/BiFeO3 nanocomposites are an efficient recyclable catalyst for the reduction of nitrophenol isomers. The reduction kinetics for all the reactions follows the pseudo-first order. The rate reduction of nitrophenols followed the order 3NP > 2NP > 4NP. The catalytic reduction of 2/3/4NP over the 8CO3O4-BFO catalyst with NaBH4 in aqueous solution. [Display omitted] •Co3O4 anchored on BiFeO3 by the impregnation method.•Study of catalytic reduction of 2-,3-, 4-nitrophenols.•8 wt% Co3O4-BiFeO3 exhibited highest catalytic reduction activity.•Mechanism for the rate of reduction of 2-,3-, 4-nitrophenols has been proposed.