One-Pot Synthesis of Pd-Based Ternary Pd@CdS@TiO2 Nanoclusters via a Solvothermal Route and Their Catalytic Reduction Efficiency toward Toxic Hexavalent Chromium

Abstract

In this work, we report the synthesis of Pd-based ternary Pd@CdS@TiO2 nanocomposites using molecular precursors. This method is facile, less time-consuming, and cost-effective. This catalyst is prepared within 2 h by a solvothermal route using molecular precursors. Information about the phase, morphologies, elemental mapping, and composition of the nanocomposites was obtained using various characterization techniques. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared Pd-based ternary Pd@CdS@TiO2 nanocomposites exhibits effective reduction efficiency for the conversion of toxic Cr(VI) to Cr(III) using formic acid as a reducing agent within 5-7 min. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on Pd-based ternary Pd@CdS@TiO2 nanocomposites prepared by a solvothermal route and used as catalysts toward the reduction of hexavalent chromium at room temperature.