Synthesis of “sea urchin”-like carbon nanotubes/porous carbon superstructures derived from waste biomass for treatment of various contaminants
Novel “sea urchin”-like Ni nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) supported on porous carbon (Ni@N-C) 3D materials derived from waste biomass were prepared via pyrolysis and employed as an environmentally friendly, easy available and cost-effective catalyst for removal of toxic po...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2017
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| Online Access: | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP150103026 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/56811 |
| Summary: | Novel “sea urchin”-like Ni nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) supported on porous carbon (Ni@N-C) 3D materials derived from waste biomass were prepared via pyrolysis and employed as an environmentally friendly, easy available and cost-effective catalyst for removal of toxic pollutants. The characterizations indicated that Ni 0 catalyzed the growth of intertwined CNTs on carbon layers, affording abundant porous structures and larger specific surface area. With the synergistic effect of embedded Ni 0 nanoparticles, nitrogen doping, hierarchical micro-mesopores, and interconnected CNTs, Ni@N-C displayed a superior catalytic capability for the oxidation of organic pollutants using peroxymonosulfate as an oxidant, and catalytic reduction of toxic Cr VI to nontoxic Cr III by formic acid as a reducing agent. It was found that pyrolysis temperatures affected the compositions, morphologies, and catalytic properties of Ni@N-C. Inactive oxidized N species have transformed to the highly active graphitic N, pyridinic-N, and Ni-O-N clusters, thereby improving the catalytic activity. Moreover, Ni@N-C maintained good physicochemical structure and stable activity even after several cycles of reactions. The simple synthetic strategies, 3D structure, and remarkable performance of Ni@N-C composites make them serve as alternative environmentally friendly catalysts for removal of pollutants. |
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