Synthesis of graphene encapsulated Fe3C in carbon nanotubes from biomass and its catalysis application

The design and facile synthesis of versatile, non-noble metal catalysts with high activity and stability is extremely important for industrial applications. Herein, a novel, simple and one-pot approach of controlled synthesis of graphene encapsulated Fe3C that embedded in carbon nanotubes (denoted as Fe3C@G-CNT) via direct pyrolysis of renewable biomass (glucose, xylitol and sucrose) was reported. Detailed characterizations results indicated that the morphologies and properties of Fe3C@G-CNT composites depended strongly on pyrolysis temperature. Fe3C@G-CNT-700 (prepared at 700 degrees C) was highly active and stable for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines at 40 degrees C, and this catalyst was also active for the selective hydrogenation of C=C bond in several compounds. The synthetic strategy, the structure of iron carbide-based composite and the proposed mechanism may open a new avenue for the development of hydrogenation catalysts. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.