Unique functionalities of carbon shells coating on ZnFe2O4 for enhanced photocatalytic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol

Hydroxylation of benzene to phenol over a photocatalyst is a green approach toward phenol production. ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) with an intrinsic peroxidase-like catalytic behavior toward H2O2 activation is an emerging photocatalyst for benzene hydroxylation reaction; however, its catalytic performance is greatly limited by the fast charge recombination, inevitable metal leaching and hydrophilic surface structure. Herein, the encapsulation of ZFO by carbons (ZFO@C) is an effective solution to address these issues. The carbons conformably coating on ZFO not only protect them from corrosion and metal leaching, but also enable the generation of a strong electronic contact between them to facilitate charge separation. In addition, the carbons also increase the surface affinity for benzene adsorption. As a result, ZFO@C exhibited a significant enhanced photocatalytic activity and durability for phenol synthesis. Furthermore, ZFO@C with carbon derived unique functionalities will have a broad application in photocatalytic green synthesis of fine chemicals.

Automated summary

The encapsulation of ZFO with carbons enhances its photocatalytic activity and durability by protecting ZFO from corrosion and metal leaching, facilitating charge separation, and increasing benzene adsorption. The resulting ZFO@C photocatalyst is expected to have broad applications in green synthesis of fine chemicals.