Copper nanoparticles embedded in metal–organic framework MIL-101(Cr) as a high performance catalyst for reduction of aromatic nitro compounds

•Cu nanoparticles embedded in MIL-101 (Cr) metal-organic framework.•Rapid synthesis of Cu/MIL-101 (Cr) nanocomposites under microwave irradiation.•High catalytic activity of Cu/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposites.

In this paper, we describe the preparation of Cu nanoparticles (NPs) loaded on a MIL-101 (Cr) metal–organic framework and its highly enhanced heterogeneous catalysis for reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. The obtained Cu/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms at 77 K. The result reveals that both small Cu NPs with diameter of 2–3 nm and Cu NPs with average diameter of 100 nm are formed, and the small Cu NPs are embedded in MIL-101(Cr). The obtained Cu/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposites showed highly enhanced catalytic activity for the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds.

Graphical abstractCu/MIL-101(Cr) nanocomposites have been facilely synthesized under microwave irradiation, and the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited highly enhanced catalytic activity in catalyzing the reduction of 4-nitrophenol by NaBH4 in the aqueous phase.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide