Catalysis

Engineering

Materials science

Chemical engineering

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Shell (structure)

Nanoreactor

Composite material

Chemistry

ACS Catalysis

Hollow yolk–shell nanoreactors are of great interest in heterogeneous catalysis owing to their improved mass transfer ability and stability. Here, we report a facile and straight route to synthesize a highly efficient and recyclable yolk–shell Co@C–N nanoreactor with controllable properties by the direct thermolysis of a hollow Zn/Co-ZIF precursor. Based on systematical optimization of the pyrolysis temperature and the shell-thickness of Zn/Co-ZIFs, we could completely anchor and stabilize uniform Co nanoparticles (NPs) in the hollow yolk, accommodated by the Co-ZIF derived N-doped carbon nanosheets. This nanosheet-assembled yolk was further confined by a permeable and robust N-doped carbon (C–N) shell to protect the Co NPs against leaching and also enabled the reaction to take place in the hollow void. Consequently, the optimal yolk–shell Co@C–N nanoreactor showed a significantly enhanced catalytic activity for the aqueous oxidation of alcohols, yielding >99% conversion under atmospheric air and base-fre...

Nanoreactor of MOF-Derived Yolk–Shell Co@C–N: Precisely Controllable Structure and Enhanced Catalytic Activity