Novel binary copper-iron phosphate nanoparticles as heterogeneous catalyst for propargylamine, alkene synthesis, and antibacterial efficiency

Abstract

A novel binary metal nanoparticle catalyst; iron copper phosphate nanoparticles (FeCuP), was synthesized via a hydrothermal route under mild conditions without surfactants or post-treatment uses. Three variants of the catalyst, FeCuP1, FeCuP2, and FeCuP3, were prepared using different urea amounts. Characterization techniques, including Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and XPS were employed to analyze the catalysts. The results reveal the impact of urea on nanoparticles formation, and surface structure. Among the variants, the FeCuP2 catalystexhibited the highest surface area (99 m²/g) and particle sizes below 10 nm.FeCuP2 nanoparticles demonstrated exceptional catalytic performance in the synthesis of propargylamines and alkenes through amine, aldehyde, and alkyne coupling (A3 coupling) and Knoevenagel condensation respectively, achieving high yields (100 %) and stability. Notably, FeCuP2 nanoparticles retained its catalytic activity over seven cycles of reuse. Furthermore, all catalyst samples displayed antibacterial properties, where the FeCuP2 nanoparticles showing the highest inhibitory activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.