Macroporous carbon nitride: Synthesis, loading with metal nanoparticles and catalytic activity

Macroporous carbon nitride was synthesized by using silica spheres as the template through a refluxing reaction, and it was then loaded with transitional metal and noble metal nanoparticles used as catalysts. The morphology and crystal structure of as-synthesized materials were systematically studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The catalytic activities of as-synthesized catalysts were investigated by the hydrogenation reaction of the p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol, showing that the catalyst loaded Co nanoparticles had better catalytic activity and recyclability than other catalysts.