3D Porous Carbon Framework Stabilized Ultra-Uniform Nano γ-Fe2O3: A Useful Catalyst System

We present a novel strategy for the scalable fabrication of gamma-Fe2O3@3DPCF, a three-dimensional porous carbon framework (PCF) anchored ultra-uniform and ultrastable gamma-Fe2O3 nanocatalyst. The gamma-Fe2O3@3DPCF nanocomposites were facilely prepared with the following route: condensation of iron(III) acetylacetonate with acetylacetonate at room temperature to form the polymer precursor (PPr), which was carbonized subsequently at 800 degrees C. The homogeneous aldol condensation offered an ultra-uniform distribution of iron, so that the gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were uniformly distributed in the 3D carbon architecture with the average size of approximate 20 nm. The Fe2O3 NPs were capped with carbon, so that the iron oxide maintained its gamma-phase instead of the more stable alpha-phase. The nanocomposite was an excellent catalyst for the reduction of nitroarene; it gave > 99% conversion and 100% selectivity for the reduction of nitroarenes to the corresponding anilines at 100 degrees C. The fabrication of the gamma-Fe2O3@3DPCF nanocatalyst represents a green and scalable method for the synthesis of novel carbon-based metal oxide nanostructures.