Facile Preparation of Magnetic Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Microtubes with Co Nanoparticles for Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol

Graphical Herein, magnetic Nitrogen-doped carbon microtubes with Co nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 @C−Co) were prepared. The obtained Fe 3 O 4 @C−Co exhibited an excellent catalytic performance due to the synergistic effect between the hollow porous nitrogen-doped carbon support and the dispersed Co nanoparticles. Furthermore, owing to the magnetism of the magnetic Fe 3 O 4 NPs and newly-generated Co NPs, the catalysts could be easily collected and recycled, exhibiting potential application in catalytic and other fields. Heterogeneous catalysts with controllable interface structures are of great importance to demonstrate the relationship between structure and property. Herein, magnetic Nitrogen-doped carbon microtubes with Co nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 @C−Co) were prepared, which could be used for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol(4-NP). In the process, MoO 3 @FeOOH core-shell structure was fabricated, then ZIF-67 was decorated on the MoO 3 @FeOOH. After adding 2-methylimidazole, MoO 3 microrods were removed. Then the prepared FeOOH@ZIF-67 microtubes are converted to Fe 3 O 4 @C−Co hybrid microtubes through pyrolysis. Due to the unique structures, the obtained Fe 3 O 4 @C−Co composites improved the dispersion of Co nanoparticles (NPs), diminished Co leaching, and promoted catalytic activity. The plentiful nitrogen improved electronic conductivity and brought additional active sites. The resulting Fe 3 O 4 @C−Co implies outstanding catalytic ability towards the reduction of 4-NP. The synergistic effect between the hollow microtube and the fine dispersed Co NPs within Fe 3 O 4 @C−Co offered an excellent catalytic efficiency. More particularly, this achievement opens a new avenue to the targeted design of well-defined nanocatalysts for practical applications in environmental remediation.