Upgraded Valorization of Biowaste: Laser-Assisted Synthesis of Pd/Calcium Lignosulfonate Nanocomposite for Hydrogen Storage and Environmental Remediation

Abstract

Laser ablation in liquid (LAL), one of the promising pathways to produce nanoparticles, is used herein for the modification of the abundant biowaste, calcium lignosulfonate (CLS), adorning it with palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). The ensuing Pd/CLS nanocomposite, fabricated via a simple stirring method, is deployed for hydrogen storage and environmental cleanup studies; a hydrogen storage capacity of about 5.8 C g ^–1 confirmed that Pd NPs serve as active sites for the adsorption of hydrogen. Additionally, the novel, sustainable, and reusable nanocomposite also exhibits superior catalytic activity toward the reduction of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), and methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution in a short time; the synthesized nanocatalyst could be reused for at least eight successive runs.