Artificial construction of the magnetically separable nanocatalyst by anchoring Pt nanoparticles on functionalized carbon-encapsulated nickel nanoparticles

A magnetically separable nanocatalyst consisting of 2-5-nm Pt particles dispersed on carbon-encapsulated nickel nanoparticles has been artificially constructed. The magnetically separable function of the nanocatalyst is well demonstrated by recycled hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline. The construction process has been clearly illuminated, which is composed of the nondestructive functionalization of magnetic Ni(C) nanocapsules with carboxylic acid end groups and then the immobilization of Pt nanoparticles. This strategy should be applicable to the construction of some other magnetically separable nanocatalysts.