N doped cobalt-carbon composite for reduction of p-nitrophenol and pendimethaline

A novel and magnetically separable N doped-cobalt carbon composite (Co-NC) was facilely synthesized via thermal treatment of Co3O4-melamine mixture in atmospheric condition. The physicochemical properties of the composite were characterized with X-ray diffractometer, Raman spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometer, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic ability of the composite was evaluated in reduction of p-nitrophenol and pendimethalin using NaBH4 as a reductant. The composite showed a good catalytic performance to completely reduce 20 mg L−1 of p-nitrophenol within 7.5 min, and 44 mg L−1 of pendimethaline within 20 min at a dose of 0.27 mg mL−1 and 0.32 mg mL-1, respectively. The composite also displayed a robust reusability with a small loss of catalytic activity in completion of four repetitive p-nitrophenol reduction cycles, demonstrating its potential utility as an alternative to noble-metal catalysts.