Facile fabrication of three-dimensional porous CuFe2O4 cages as highly efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst

Publication date: 15 September 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 130
Author(s): Yu-Ting Zhuang, Wei Gao, Yong-Liang Yu, Jian-Hua Wang
The design and preparation of high-performance catalysts with high catalytic activity and excellent durability that are both environmentally benign and cost-effective remains a considerable challenge. Herein, a facile strategy is reported for the fabrication of three-dimensional porous CuFe2O4 cages, shortly as 3D CuFe2O4@C, by bubbling oxygen produced in situ through a CuFe2O4 suspension, followed by thermal treatment in nitrogen atmosphere. The 3D CuFe2O4@C structure increases the surface area of CuFe2O4 and provides a porous support structure. It is proposed to be a key in preventing the aggregation of CuFe2O4 during practical use. 3D CuFe2O4@C is shown to be a highly active catalyst, not only for the hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol, but also for the reduction of methylene blue in aqueous medium. 3D CuFe2O4@C exhibits remarkable catalytic activity towards p-nitrophenol reduction, with a catalytic rate constant of 2.167min⁻¹ that is 5.35 times higher than that with pristine CuFe2O4 (0.405min⁻¹). In addition, the 3D CuFe2O4@C catalyst has a high saturation magnetization of 51.9emug⁻¹, indicating that it can be easily recycled using a magnet. The 3D porous metal oxide nanostructure shows promising potentials as candidates for the remediation of contaminated aquatic environments and meets the demands for addressing future environmental issues.

Graphical abstract

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