Gold and Cobalt Nanoparticles Dispersed on N‐Doped Carbon Matrix as a Catalyst for 4‐Nitrophenol Reduction

Abstract In this work, gold, cobalt nanoparticles dispersed on a porous N doped Carbon matrix (Au/Co@N−C), which were prepared by replacement reaction to anchor Au nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of the carbonized ZIF‐67 (Co@N−C). The Au/Co@N−C composites display excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) due to the highly ordered carbon frameworks, which offered porous structure and space to improve the capability of electronic transmission. Moreover, the method of replacement reaction avoided the aggregation of gold nanoparticles effectively, which enhanced the catalytic activity of the Au/Co@N−C composites. The catalytic properties of nanocomposites were assessed through the reduction reaction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) translate 4‐NP into 4‐aminophenol (4‐AP) with excessive NaBH 4 , the K app was up to 37.46×10 −3 s −1 and the conversion rate of 4‐NP remained at 89 % after five consecutive cycles. Thus, this work has excellent promising preparation of noble metal catalysts and application in the catalysis of phenols.