Hollow Nano-Mesosilica Spheres Containing Rhodium Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon: An Efficient Catalyst for the Reduction of Nitroarenes under Mild Conditions

Atom efficiency, low temperature, low pressure, and a nontoxic hydrogen source as a reducing agent are ideal reaction conditions for the reduction of nitroarenes. In this work, an efficient catalyst comprising hollow nano-mesosilica spheres loaded with Rh nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped carbon was developed. Rh nanoparticles were stabilized and uniformly dispersed by nitrogen atoms, and the inner N-doped carbon shell was used to adsorb reaction substrates and improve catalytic activity. The catalyst showed remarkable activity (maximum yield at 1.5 h) and selectivity (100 %) for the reduction of nitrobenzene at lower temperature (80 degrees C), atmospheric pressure (1 atm), and without base under aqueous conditions. Moreover, the hydrothermal stability of this nanocatalyst was better than other catalysts in boiling water at 100 degrees C for 48 h and effectively prevented the aggregation and leaching of Rh NPs during the reaction.