Efficient advanced reduction with cobalt phthalocyanine-decorated N-doped mesoporous carbon†

Abstract

Effective removal of environmental pollutants relies heavily on advanced reduction processes (ARPs), and developing effective and low cost catalysts is pivotal. Herein, it is demonstrated that cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) adsorbed on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (NMC) can serve as an efficient catalyst for ARPs. The CoPc-NMC composite stands out for its remarkable ability to reduce hexavalent Cr(VI) using formic acid as the reducing agent. This exceptional performance is attributed to the distinct characteristics of the composite, including atomically dispersed CoPc and strong π–π interactions with the rich pyridinic N-doped carbon support. It also reveals the complex involvement of active species, such as electrons and hydrogen radicals, which clarifies the mechanism behind this catalytic process. Ultimately, this study not only sheds light on the factors that influence the catalytic activity of CoPc-NMC but also offers critical insights into developing more efficient strategies for Cr(VI) reduction in environmental applications.