Ferric carbide nanocrystals encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as an outstanding environmental catalyst
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(Published version)
Date
2017
Authors
Wang, C.
Kang, J.
Liang, P.
Zhang, H.
Sun, H.
Tadé, M.O.
Wang, S.
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Journal article
Citation
Environmental Science: Nano, 2017; 4(1):170-179
Statement of Responsibility
Chen Wang, Jian Kang, Ping Liang, Huayang Zhang, Hongqi Sun, Moses O. Tadé and Shaobin Wang
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Abstract
Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes encapsulating iron carbide (Fe₃C) nanocrystals (Fe₃C@NCNT) were fabricated by a simple and direct pyrolysis method using melamine and ferric chloride as the C, N and Fe precursors. The surface morphology, structure and composition of the Fe₃C@NCNT materials were thoroughly investigated. The nanomaterials were employed as novel catalysts for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation; outstanding efficiency, high stability and excellent reusability were observed in the catalytic oxidation of organics. The encapsulated Fe₃C nanoparticles played a key role in the emerging synergetic effects of the carbide and the protective graphitic layers. In addition, the quaternary N and trace amounts of iron on the CNT surface acted as the active sites. Various quenching experiments were carried out to elucidate the catalytic mechanism of Fe₃C@NCNT. It was found that singlet oxygen, superoxide, sulfate and hydroxyl radicals worked together to degrade phenol solutions. Due to their simple synthesis method, low-cost precursors, unique structure and excellent catalytic activity and stability, these novel iron-carbide-based composites have great potential as new strategic materials for environmental catalysis.
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Print edition (ISSN 2051-8153) is obsolete. eISSN entered is active. Published on 10 November 2016
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This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017. Open Access Article. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.