Co/ZnO/N-C composites obtained by ZIF derived from Co-Zn oxides as highly efficient catalyst for reduction of p-nitrophenol

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology Vol. 99; no. 1; pp. 101 - 108
• Main Authors: Li, Shaojun, Zhang, Xiaoxiao, Bai, Lei, Yu, Hao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.07.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Carbon; Catalysts; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cobalt; Colloid chemistry; colloids; Composites; etc.; fibers; Glass; Imidazole; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Metal oxides; Metal-organic frameworks; Nanocomposites; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Nitrogen; Nitrophenol; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles; Synthesis; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides; Structural transformation; Catalytic reduction; Co/ZnO/N-C; Composite oxide
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-021-05549-3

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and cobalt (Co)-ZnO nanocomposites were first reacted with 2-Methylimidazole to synthesize the zeolitic imidazole frameworks as precursors. After calcination in nitrogen, the ZnO/N-C and Co/ZnO/N-C composites were received, respectively. The structure and composition of the samples at different stages were characterized in order to illustrate the transformation process. Finally, the ZnO/N-C and Co/ZnO/N-C composites were employed as catalysts for the hydrogenation of p -nitrophenol by sodium borohydride. The catalytic results suggested that the Co/ZnO/N-C composite with a proper amount of metallic cobalt, better dispersion, small size, and synergetic effect of N doping on carbon displayed a much more efficient catalytic ability for the reduction of p -nitrophenol in comparison with the ZnO/N-C composite as well as the Co/N-C composite synthesized by ZIF-67. The present work would provide further insight into the design of metal-carbon-based materials from the corresponded metal-organic frameworks derived from the relevant metal oxides and development of their applications from the aspect of interface and colloid chemistry.