ABSTRACT
A self-assembly of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate with Cu(II) and Mn(II) under ultrasonic and microwave irradiation gave the two coordination polymers [Cu(PDA)(H2O)1.5]n (1) and [Mn(PDA)(H2O)1.5]n (2). Their structures were characterized using IR, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectroscopic methods. The corresponding α-Mn3O4 and CuO nanoparticles were synthesized by calcination of 1 and 2 in air at 600⯰C. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals a sphere-like morphology for the Mn3O4 nanoparticles. Shrinkage of the particle size from 90â¯nm (by conventional synthesis of the precursor) to 19â¯nm (ultrasonic-assisted) takes place, indicating the great effect of ultrasonication. CuO nanoparticles were of semispherical (conventional and ultrasonic-assisted methods) and hexagonal shapes (microwave irradiation) with an average diameter of 7, 15 and 25â¯nm, respectively. The catalytic performance of the coordination polymers towards degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange in the presence of hydrogen peroxide was studied. Using the same dose, catalyst 1 proved to be more efficient in color removal of both MB and MO than catalyst 2 did. Recycling test for 2 showed that it is a recyclable catalyst with no structural changes over three recycling experiments.