A covalent organic framework-based route to the in situ encapsulation of metal nanoparticles in N-rich hollow carbon spheres. Issue 9 (9th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Liyu; Zhang, Lei; Chen, Zhijie; Liu, Hongli; Luque, Rafael; Li, Yingwei
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 7:Issue 9(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 6015
• Page End: 6020
• Publication Date: 2016-06-09
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6sc01659f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : Covalent organic frameworks doped with metal cations can be used as novel precursors for the in situ encapsulation of metal NPs into N doped hollow carbon spheres. The integration of the hollow structure, N dopant and ultrafine Pd NPs gives the hybrid nanocomposites advanced catalytic performance. Abstract : Metal nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in hollow nanostructures hold great promise for a variety of applications. Herein, we demonstrate a new concept where covalent organic frameworks (COFs) doped with metal cations can be readily used as novel precursors for the in situ encapsulation of metal NPs into N doped hollow carbon spheres (NHCS) through a controlled carbonization process. The obtained Pd@NHCS composites show a significantly enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene in ethanol and oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol compared with that of the conventional Pd/N–C and commercial Pd/C catalysts. The excellent catalytic performance should be related to the synergism of the porous hollow spheric structure, highly dispersed Pd NPs, and uniform distribution of N dopants on the materials. We believe that this newly developed methodology could be extended to the synthesis of other metal NPs@NHCS composites for a variety of advanced applications.