Carbon quantum dots and chitosan-based heterogeneous silver catalyst for reduction of nitroaromatic compounds

Chitosan plays a crucial role in catalysis, environmental remediation, and sustainable chemistry as a renewable and cationic polysaccharide. Chitosan-based metal catalysts are used in a broad range of chemical transformations. In the study, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were derived from Momordica charantia fruits by microwave irradiation following a green chemistry approach. Three catalysts were designed: Ag(0)-chitosan, Ag(0)-chitosan-M. charantia fruit powder, and Ag(0)-chitosan-CQDs. The catalyst supports were prepared by stabilizing CQDs or M. charantia powder within the polymeric matrix of chitosan beads. Metallic silver particles were anchored onto glutaraldehyde cross-linked chitosan beads from the aqueous solution of silver nitrate. The heterogeneous silver catalysts were used to reduce toxic nitroaromatics (4-nitrophenol, 2-nitroaniline, 1,2-diamino-4-nitrobenzene, 2,4-dinitrophenol). The regeneration of catalysts was also covered. The reused catalysts retained their catalytic activities after ten cycles. The study suggested that presence of CQDs or M. charantia powder could improve the efficiency of the chitosan-based metallic silver catalysts.