US EPA

4180560 

Journal Article 

Synthesis of "sea urchin"-like carbon nanotubes/porous carbon superstructures derived from waste biomass for treatment of various contaminants 

Yao, Y; Lian, C; Wu, G; Hu, Yi; Wei, F; Yu, M; Wang, S 

2017 

Yes 

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
ISSN: 0926-3373 

219 

563-571 

10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.07.064 

WOS:000412957100058 

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 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. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 

Carbon nanotubes; Biomass; Hexavalent chromium; Organic pollutants; Heterogeneous catalysis