Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of PdNPs for Cr(VI) Reduction by Increasing Pd(0) Content

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a hazardous environmental contaminant, and palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) have shown promise as catalysts for its reduction. This study explores the primary factor influencing the catalytic performance of PdNPs in Cr(VI) reduction by investigating the crystal structu...

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Main Authors: Hongfei Lai, Ling Tan, Zhenkun Shi, Shiyi Huang, Wenjia Yu, Guotong Wei, Jianping Xie, Shuang Zhou, Chaoyu Tian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1346
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author Hongfei Lai
Ling Tan
Zhenkun Shi
Shiyi Huang
Wenjia Yu
Guotong Wei
Jianping Xie
Shuang Zhou
Chaoyu Tian
author_facet Hongfei Lai
Ling Tan
Zhenkun Shi
Shiyi Huang
Wenjia Yu
Guotong Wei
Jianping Xie
Shuang Zhou
Chaoyu Tian
author_sort Hongfei Lai
collection DOAJ
description Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a hazardous environmental contaminant, and palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) have shown promise as catalysts for its reduction. This study explores the primary factor influencing the catalytic performance of PdNPs in Cr(VI) reduction by investigating the crystal structure and composition of PdNPs in fungal-based catalysts. Five Pd-loaded catalysts were synthesized by treating fungal biomass with different chemical reagents, resulting in varying Pd(0) contents. The nanoparticle morphology, chemical states, and functional group interactions during Pd adsorption and reduction were investigated using multiple analytical techniques. The results showed that fungal hyphae remained structurally intact throughout the treatment process. PdNPs smaller than 2 nm were observed, with both Pd(0) and PdO present. The proportion of Pd(0) ranged from 6.4% to 37.2%, depending on the chemical reagent used. In addition, functional groups such as phosphate, amine, hydroxyl, and carboxyl were found to play key roles in palladium binding, underscoring the importance of surface chemistry in the adsorption and reduction process. A strong positive correlation was observed between the Pd(0) content and catalytic activity. Notably, the NCPdSF sample (palladium-loaded biomass treated with sodium formate) exhibited the highest Pd(0) content of 59.2% and achieved the most effective Cr(VI) reduction. These results suggest that Pd(0) content is a key determinant of catalytic efficiency in Cr(VI) reduction and that optimizing chemical treatments to enhance Pd(0) levels can substantially improve catalyst performance.
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spelling doaj-art-17ed4bf120194a9598ef6ec112ea28b42025-08-20T03:29:35ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-06-01136134610.3390/microorganisms13061346Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of PdNPs for Cr(VI) Reduction by Increasing Pd(0) ContentHongfei Lai0Ling Tan1Zhenkun Shi2Shiyi Huang3Wenjia Yu4Guotong Wei5Jianping Xie6Shuang Zhou7Chaoyu Tian8Key Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils, Hunan Binglang Science Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils, Hunan Binglang Science Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, ChinaBiodesign Center, Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils, Hunan Binglang Science Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils, Hunan Binglang Science Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils, Hunan Binglang Science Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, ChinaSchool of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaKey Laboratory of Ecological Remediation and Safe Utilization of Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils, Hunan Binglang Science Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, ChinaHexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a hazardous environmental contaminant, and palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) have shown promise as catalysts for its reduction. This study explores the primary factor influencing the catalytic performance of PdNPs in Cr(VI) reduction by investigating the crystal structure and composition of PdNPs in fungal-based catalysts. Five Pd-loaded catalysts were synthesized by treating fungal biomass with different chemical reagents, resulting in varying Pd(0) contents. The nanoparticle morphology, chemical states, and functional group interactions during Pd adsorption and reduction were investigated using multiple analytical techniques. The results showed that fungal hyphae remained structurally intact throughout the treatment process. PdNPs smaller than 2 nm were observed, with both Pd(0) and PdO present. The proportion of Pd(0) ranged from 6.4% to 37.2%, depending on the chemical reagent used. In addition, functional groups such as phosphate, amine, hydroxyl, and carboxyl were found to play key roles in palladium binding, underscoring the importance of surface chemistry in the adsorption and reduction process. A strong positive correlation was observed between the Pd(0) content and catalytic activity. Notably, the NCPdSF sample (palladium-loaded biomass treated with sodium formate) exhibited the highest Pd(0) content of 59.2% and achieved the most effective Cr(VI) reduction. These results suggest that Pd(0) content is a key determinant of catalytic efficiency in Cr(VI) reduction and that optimizing chemical treatments to enhance Pd(0) levels can substantially improve catalyst performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1346PdNPsfungal biomassmetallic PdCr(VI) reduction
spellingShingle Hongfei Lai
Ling Tan
Zhenkun Shi
Shiyi Huang
Wenjia Yu
Guotong Wei
Jianping Xie
Shuang Zhou
Chaoyu Tian
Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of PdNPs for Cr(VI) Reduction by Increasing Pd(0) Content
Microorganisms
PdNPs
fungal biomass
metallic Pd
Cr(VI) reduction
title Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of PdNPs for Cr(VI) Reduction by Increasing Pd(0) Content
title_full Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of PdNPs for Cr(VI) Reduction by Increasing Pd(0) Content
title_fullStr Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of PdNPs for Cr(VI) Reduction by Increasing Pd(0) Content
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of PdNPs for Cr(VI) Reduction by Increasing Pd(0) Content
title_short Enhancing the Catalytic Performance of PdNPs for Cr(VI) Reduction by Increasing Pd(0) Content
title_sort enhancing the catalytic performance of pdnps for cr vi reduction by increasing pd 0 content
topic PdNPs
fungal biomass
metallic Pd
Cr(VI) reduction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1346
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