Magnetic hydrogel derived from wheat straw cellulose/feather protein in ionic liquids as copper nanoparticles carrier for catalytic reduction

Abstract Magnetic hydrogel derived from wheat straw cellulose (WSC) and feather protein (FP) was successfully derived from [Bmim]Cl ionic liquids for copper nanoparticles carrier to prepare magnetic hydrogel-Cu (m-WSC/FP-Cu). Morphology, structure and component of m-WSC/FP-Cu were characterized by different techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, VSM, etc.). The activity of m-WSC/FP-Cu were evaluated by employing them as catalysts for the reduction of 2-nitrobenzoic acid (2-NA) to a useful industrial intermediates, 2-aminobenzoic acid (2-ABA). Effect of experimental conditions, including m-WSC/FP-Cu dosage, 2-NA initial concentration, NaBH 4 dosage and temperature, were investigated. The m-WSC/FP-Cu exhibited maximum catalytic activity under conditions of 1.00 g m-WSC/FP-Cu, 100 mg/L 2-NA and 0.3 g NaBH 4 . Besides, higher activity of m-WSC/FP-Cu was obtained at higher temperature. The activity of m-WSC/FP-Cu maintained 99.02% over 5 cycles utilization and 90.60% after 30 days storage, which exhibited excellent recyclability and stability. It is expected that the m-WSC/FP-Cu have the potential for treating organic wastewater cooperated with a catalyst regeneration device.