Designing a new magnetic g-C 3 N 4 nanocatalyst based on Ag nanoparticles supported by β-cyclodextrin for effective reduction of nitroaromatic compounds

Abstract Nanocomposites that incorporate metallic nanoparticles into their matrix represent a significant category of heterogeneous catalysts known for their remarkable catalytic activity. To enhance the stability of metallic nanoparticles, functionalized magnetic g-C₃N₄ materials have emerged as cost-effective and highly supportive catalyst supports. In this study, we present the synthesis of a silver nanocomposite by utilizing a β-cyclodextrin (βCD) polymer anchored onto the surface of magnetic g-C₃N₄ (referred to as g-C₃N₄-Fe₃O₄/βCD-Ag). The structure and composition of the g-C₃N₄-Fe₃O₄/βCD-Ag nanocomposite were thoroughly characterized using various techniques, including FT-IR, FE-SEM-EDS, TEM, TGA, XRD, ICP, and VSM. This catalytic system exhibited excellent selectivity in reducing nitro groups, even in the presence of other reactive functional groups, resulting in high yields ranging from 85–98%. Moreover, the organometallic nanocatalyst could be easily recovered from the solution using an external magnet and demonstrated consistent catalytic activity over six consecutive runs with a slight decrease.