Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of p-and o-isomers of nitrobenzoic acid using bimetallic Fe-Ag composites

Bimetallic Fe-Ag composites were fabricated based on silver (I) ferrite (AgFeO2) synthesized using a co-precipitation method with and without the polyvinyl alcohol as a nanoparticle stabilizer, followed by the heat treatment at 500, 700 and 900°C and electrochemical reduction. Phase compositions and morphological features of AgFeO2 samples produced after heat treatment and after electrochemical experiments were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and electron microscopy. A decrease in the temperature of the thermal decomposition of silver ferrite prepared with polyvinyl alcohol was established. The possibility of the electrochemical reduction of AgFeO2 in aqueous alkaline catholyte on a copper cathode with the formation of crystalline phases of both metals or their alloy was shown. The Fe-Ag composites formed during heat treatment and electrochemical reduction were used as electrocatalysts in the electrohydrogenation of p- and o-isomers of nitrobenzoic acid and exhibited high activity. Compared to their electrochemical reduction under similar conditions, the hydrogenation rate and hydrogen utilization coefficient were increased, and their conversion reached the maximum values. The main products of electrocatalytic hydrogenation are p- and o-isomers of aminobenzoic acid, which are widely used in the production of drugs (for example, benzocaine, novocaine., etc.).