Synthesis, characterization and applications of metal nanoparticles supported on porous carbon

Abstract

Porous carbon incorporating metal nanoparticles has been synthesized by nanocasting. The main two methods of synthesis were used: the formation of nanoparticles during the carbonization of carbon, and the formation of nanoparticles by metal precursor infiltration and reduction on porous carbon. The catalytic activity of nickel nanoparticles incorporated onto hierarchically porous carbon monoliths for the reduction of p-nitrophenol was studied. p-Quinoimine was identified as the stable intermediate. Catalytic graphitization of monolithic hierarchically porous carbon by iron, cobalt and nickel nanoparticles was investigated. The catalytic graphitization of amorphous carbon increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. Iron was capable of graphitizing carbon more effectively than cobalt and nickel, with cobalt being higher in activity than nickel. Oxygen and nitrogen rich mesoporous carbon were used to support gold nanoparticles and their catalytic activity was investigated for oxidation of benzyl alcohol in water. The catalysts showed significant catalytic activity, but loss of activity were found, resulting in decreasing conversion of benzyl alcohol on subsequent cycles.