Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2018) 133: 153
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2018-11963-6

Regular Article

Biosynthesised ZnO : Dy³⁺ nanoparticles: Biodiesel properties and reusable catalyst for N-formylation of aromatic amines with formic acid

¹ Department of Chemistry, B.M.S. Institute of Technology, 560 064, Bangalore, India
² Department of Chemistry, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur, India
³ Department of Physics, B.M.S. Institute of Technology, 560 064, Bangalore, India

^* e-mail: ndhananjayas@bmsit.in

Received: 27 December 2017
Accepted: 1 March 2018
Published online: 16 April 2018

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles doped with trivalent dysprosium ions (Dy³⁺) were prepared through the green combustion technique using E. tirucalli plant latex as a fuel. The fundamental and optical properties of the samples are examined via the X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV-visible analytical methods and morphology by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Rietveld refinement results show that the ZnO : Dy³⁺ were crystallized in the wurtzite hexagonal structure with space group P63mc (No. 186). The average particle size of ZnO : Dy³⁺ prepared with the different concentration of latex was found to be in the range 30-38nm, which is also confirmed by TEM analysis. A rapid and convenient method for the one-pot preparation of N-formamide derivatives aromatic amines and amino acid esters has been developed using Dy³⁺ doped ZnO as a catalytic agent. This method provides an efficient and much improved modification over reported protocols regarding yield, clean and work-up procedure milder reaction conditions. In this work, Pongamiapinnata oil was recycled for the preparation of biodiesel via Dy³⁺ doped ZnO as a catalytic agent.