Influence of electron beam irradiation on spectral, thermal, morphological and catalytic properties of Co(II) complex immobilized on chitosan’s Schiff base

• Chitosan anchored Co(II) complex was irradiated by EB at 100 Gy, 1 and 10 kGy.
• EB’s effect on spectral, surface & catalytic properties of complex was discussed.
• Splintering & linking on chitosan chain were observed by FT-IR and XRD spectroscopy.
• Remarkable increase in catalytic activity was found after EB irradiation.
• Best dose to reach both good catalytic activity as well as reusability was 1 kGy.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of electron beam irradiation on the spectral and catalytic properties of chitosan supported (ONClCl) tetra coordinated Co(II) complex, [Co(OIAC)Cl2]. The complex was subjected to electron beam irradiation of 100 Gy, 1 kGy and 10 kGy doses. Chain scission of chitosan was observed on irradiation at 100 Gy and 10 kGy and chain linking at 1 kGy as evidenced by viscosity and FT-IR spectroscopic studies. This observation was also confirmed by thermo gravimetric and differential thermogravimetric (TG–DTG) analysis. It revealed that the thermal stability of the complex was increased at 1 kGy irradiation and decreased at 100 Gy and 10 kGy. In addition, the effect of electron beam irradiation on the surface morphology of the complex was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Catalytic abilities of both non-irradiated complex and irradiated complexes were determined and compared in the cyclohexane oxidation using hydrogen peroxide oxidant. The catalytic activity was found to increase after irradiation at all doses. Though the complex irradiated at 10 kGy showed highest conversion efficiency, irradiation at 1 kGy is suggested as the best dose due to the extensive reusability and adequate catalytic ability of the complex.

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