General strategy for embedding metallic element, multi-metal or metal alloy nanoparticles into ordered mesoporous carbons via alcohol-soluble humins

Abstract

Supported metal nanoparticles (NPs) have many potential applications in environmental, energy and catalysis fields. Herein, a general strategy for embedding metallic element, multi-metal or metal alloy nanoparticles into ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) with one pot reaction is described that uses alcohol-soluble humins as carbon precursors, metal ions as metal NP precursors and nonionic surfactant (F127) in ethanol with evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) soft-template method. The synthesis method for NP@OMC materials is applicable to single metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Ru, Mg, Ca, and Zr) or multiple metals and allows formation of mono-metal nanoparticle or alloy nanoparticle-embedded OMC materials with dense loadings of up to ca. 20 wt%. As proof-of-concept, the catalytic performance of FexNiy@OMC for glucose hydrogenation at controlled stoichiometric ratios (x: 0, 1, 3; y: 3, 1, 0) were shown to give sorbitol yields of 99.6% at 160 °C in 3 h reaction time. The FexNiy@OMC materials outperformed reported Ru catalysts for glucose hydrogenation and their structure and dispersion in the OMC inhibited Ni agglomeration and leaching. The proposed general strategy, which uses alcohol-soluble humins carbon precursors, is broadly applicable to single or multiple metals and allows simple control of metal or metallic element NP composition, metal NP loading and NP dispersion in metal NP-embedded ordered mesoporous carbon materials.