LAUSR

A novel light-active magnetic Pd complex as a photocatalyst was prepared through bonding organometallics to mesoporous silica channels formed on the surface of silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The nanocomposite (denoted as Fe3O4@SiO2@m-SiO2@PDA-Pd(0); PDA = 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarbaldehyde) is more efficient and has higher photocatalytic capability in the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol under visible light irradiation compared with virgin Pd complex (PDA-Pd). This noteworthy photodegradation activity can be due to the high dispersion of Pd nanoparticles. High yield, low reaction time and non-toxicity of the catalyst are the main merits of this protocol. Also magnetic separation is an environmentally friendly alternative method for the separation and recovery of the catalyst, since it minimizes the use of solvents and auxiliary materials, reduces operation time and minimizes catalyst loss by preventing mass loss and oxidation. The produced Pd catalyst was characterised using various techniques. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy characterization was used for determining the structural properties of the Pd nanocatalyst.