An efficient Ag decorated CeO₂ synergetic catalyst for improved catalytic reduction of lethal 4-nitrophenol

Catalytic reduction is considered an effective approach for the reduction of toxic organic pollutants from the environment, but finding an active catalyst is still a big challenge. Herein, Ag decorated CeO₂ catalyst was synthesized through polyol reduction method and applied for catalytic reduction (conversion) of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The Ag decorated CeO₂ catalyst displayed an outstanding reduction activity with 99% conversion of 4-NP in 5 min with a 0.61 min⁻¹ reaction rate (k). A number of structural characterization techniques were executed to investigate the influence of Ag on CeO₂ and its effect on the catalytic conversion of 4-NP. The outstanding catalytic performances of the Ag-CeO₂ catalyst can be assigned to strong synergistic interaction of Ag with CeO₂ that prevents the aggregation of Ag species and also, helps in the exposure of more surface active metallic Ag⁰. In addition, the Ag-CeO₂ catalyst shown remarkable durability up to several (five) repeated rounds, certifying its everyday applicability.