Stabilization of Fe-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for catalytic reduction of para-nitrochlorobenzene in water

► Trace amounts of Pd are incorporated as a metal catalyst to enhance the reductive dechlorination. ► Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is used as a stabilizer to prevent particles from agglomerating. ► Non-stabilized iron counterparts and unpalladized iron are also observed as parallel experiments. ► Toxicity of target contaminant (p-NCB) is greatly reduced and the biodegradability was highly improved.