An Fe-modified Co–B amorphous alloy supported on carbon nanotubes for the hydrogenation of m-chloronitrobenzene

• DOI: 10.1007/s11144-017-1139-5
• Publication Date: 2017-01-19T14:02:51Z
• Authors: Feng Li; Jinrong Liang; Keliang Wang; Bo Cao; Wenxi Zhu; Hua Song
• Keywords: Thermal Stability; Amorphous carbon; Carbon fibers

An Fe-modified Co–B/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) amorphous alloy catalyst (Fe–Co–B/CNTs) with the Co–B particles loaded inside of the CNTs was prepared by chemical reduction. The effect of Fe on the structure, thermal stability and electronic characteristics of the Fe–Co–B/CNTs was studied by BET, ICP, XRD, DSC, XPS and H2-TPD. The hydrogenation of m-chloronitrobenzene (m-CNB) to m-chloroaniline (m-CAN) over Co–B/CNTs and Fe–Co–B/CNTs was investigated. The Fe-modified Fe–Co–B/CNTs significantly improved the m-CNB hydrogenation activity and enhanced the selectivity for m-CAN compared with Co–B/CNTs (reaction rate from 7.49 to 10.44 mmol g−1 h−1 and selectivity from 93.4 to 96.9%). The addition of Fe in the Fe–Co–B/CNTs can improve the thermal stability of the amorphous alloy, promote the formation of active centers and enhance the electron interactions.