Optimization of the catalytic performance of Pd/Fe3O4 nanoparticles prepared via microwave-assisted synthesis for pharmaceutical and catalysis applications

Microwave assisted synthesis technique was used to prepare palladium supported on iron oxide nanoparticles. The advantage of using microwave irradiation as a synthetic tool is due to its unique features as a one step, simple, versatile, and rapid process. The reactants are added simply at room temperature without using high-temperature injection. Hydrazine hydrate was added by the following ratios (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, 1.6, and 3) ml to the different prepared samples at room temperature in order to investigate its effect on the catalytic performance of the prepared catalysts. The prepared catalyst could be used as an ideal candidate not only for Pharmaceutical industry through cross-coupling reactions but also for low temperature oxidation catalysis of carbon monoxide and pharmaceutical applications as well. The experimental results showed that Pd/Fe3O4 catalyst has a remarkable catalytic activity for carbon monoxide oxidation catalysis due to the strong interaction between palladium and iron oxide nanoparticles. This may be due to the small particle size (7-14 nm) and concentration ratio of the Pd nanoparticles dispersed on the surface of magnetite (Fe3O4). Those nanoparticles were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques including; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).