The synergistic catalysis on Co nanoparticles and CoN_x sites of aniline-modified ZIF derived Co@NCs for oxidative esterification of HMF

An efficient sustainable and scalable strategy for the synthesis of porous cobalt/nitrogen co-doped carbons(Co@NCs) via pyrolysis of aniline-modified ZIFs,has been demonstrated.Aniline can coordinate and absorb on the surface of ZIF(ZIF-CoZn3-PhA),accelerate the precipitation of ZIFs,thus resulting in smaller ZIF particle size.Meanwhile,the aniline on the surface of ZIF-CoZn3-PhA promotes the formation of the protective carbon shell and smaller Co nanoparticles,and increases nitrogen content of the catalyst.Because of these prope rties of Co@NC-PhA-3,the oxidative esterification of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural can be carried out under ambient conditions.According to our experimental and computational results,a synergistic catalytic effect between CoN_x sites and Co nanoparticles has been established,in which both Co nanoparticles and CoN_x can activate O_2 while Co nanoparticles bind and oxidize HMF.Moreover,the formation and release of active oxygen species in CoN_x sites are reinfo rced by the electronic interaction between Co nanoparticles and CoN_x.