Silver nanoclusters doped in X and mordenite zeolites as heterogeneous catalysts for the decomposition of carbamate pesticides in solution.

Ag(I) nanoclusters doped in X and mordenite zeolites were prepared and analyzed using spectroscopy. Both experimental and theoretical studies of the prepared compounds show the presence of silver nanoclusters with various sizes and environments. The presence of Ag(I) nanoclusters doped in X and mordenite zeolites with high silver loadings enhanced the photodecomposition rate of carbofuran 215- and 184-fold, respectively, while the photodecomposition of carbaryl in the presence of these catalysts show room temperature rate constants that are 182- and 168-times faster than the photodecomposition of carbaryl in the absence of the silver-doped zeolite catalysts. The reaction rates were found to be dependent on the amount of silver loaded into the zeolite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]