Metal Organic Framework Derived Cu-Carbon Composite for the Effective Reduction of p-Nitrophenol

A Cu-carbon composite (Cu-C) was prepared via single-step carbonization of a metal-organic framework (MOF) composed of Cu2+ and 1,4-benzene dicarboxylate (BDC) and applied as a catalyst to degrade p-nitrophenol. The composite was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies. The characterization affirmed the preservation of MOF-originated CuO and metallic Cu in the carbon network. In presence of NaBH4, the Cu-C composite resulted in a complete reduction of p-nitrophenol within a few min and exhibited much higher removal rate than commercial CuO. The role of NaBH4 concentration in p-nitrophenol reduction was highlighted in the context of relevant catalytic mechanisms. The composite displayed good reusability during four consecutive cycles of p-nitrophenol reduction with only a small loss of its reactivity, signifying its potential as an alternative to noble-metal catalysts.