Microwave-assisted synthesis of palladium nanoparticles using Frankincense resin and evaluation of their catalytic properties

The present study describes a microwave-assisted synthesis of well-dispersed palladium nanoparticles
(PdNPs). For the first time, Frankincense resin (FR) obtained from the tree of Boswellia sacra is explored
for the preparation of PdNPs. This method is rapid, inexpensive and devoid of toxic chemicals. FR aqueous
extract with reducing polysaccharides and other phytochemicals served as an effective reducing and stabilizing
agent for PdNPs. Formation of PdNPs was preliminarily confirmed by UV–visible and mechanism
of formation was proposed from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopic
images displayed spherical PdNPs with an average size of 11 ± 2 nm. Catalytic activity studies
revealed that the PdNPs act as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of both cationic (Methylene Blue)
and anionic (Congo red) dye pollutants. Moreover, the PdNPs can be recovered and reused for five cycles
without a significant loss in their catalytic activity.