Enhanced catalytic reductive hydrogenation of an organic dye by Ag decorated graphitic carbon nitride modified MCM-41

Utilization of efficient, stable and reusable catalysts for wastewater treatment and catalytic elimination of toxic pollutants is a challenge among researchers. This present work shows the synthesis of high-surface-activity Ag nanoparticle decorated gC₃N₄ modified MCM-41 and its efficiency towards catalytic hydrogenation of organic dye in the presence of reducing agent NaBH₄. The proposed mechanism is based on the transfer of H⁺ and 2e^- between the dye and the catalyst. Adsorption of dye stuff on the catalyst is a rate-determining step and is accelerated by the MCM-41 support which enhances the surface area. The catalytic efficiency and optimum time requirement were examined through the adsorption-desorption equilibrium, pseudo-first-order reaction kinetic model for the dye. The result obtained was 98% catalytic efficiency followed by the catalytic hydrogenation reaction.