Green synthesis of Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposite using Euphorbia peplus Linn leaf extract and evaluation of its catalytic activity

In this work, the Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was prepared by Euphorbia peplus Linn (L.) leaf extract as a suitable reducing source and stabilizing agent. The green synthesized nanocomposite was characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and FT-IR spectroscopy. TEM analysis of Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposite showed the spherical shape nanoparticles (NPs) with an average size of 5-10 nm. The Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposite then was used as a magnetically recoverable catalyst for the [2+3] cycloaddition of arylcyanamides and sodium azide in high yields and short reaction times without formation of hydrazoic acid (HN3). Also it can be easily recovered via applying of external magnetic field and reused several times without significant loss of activity. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.