Metal-organic framework as a template for synthesis of magnetic CoFe2O4 nanocomposites for phenol degradation

This paper presents a facile strategy for preparing magnetic CoFe2O4 nanocomposites using a metal-organic framework (MOF) as both template and precursor for the first time. In this approach, cobalt nitrate hexahydrate as a second precursor was immobilized into the pores of MOF by incipient wetness impregnation. Then, magnetic CoFe2O4 nanocomposites were produced under several calcined conditions in air. Interestingly, the as-obtained nanocomposites still kept the morphology of MOF. The composition of nanocomposites varied with the molar ratio of Fe/Co. The structure, morphology and magnetic behavior of the nanocomposites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The as synthesized magnetic nanomaterials showed relatively high catalytic performance for oxidation degradation of phenol using potassium peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as oxidant. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.