Effective catalytic hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol over a Rh immobilized on amine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles in aqueous phase

Amine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles synthesized from a facile one-pot template-free method were applied as carriers for depositing Rh nanoparticles using RhCl3 as the precursor. The as-prepared nanocomposites were applied for the hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. A complete conversion of 4-CP was obtained with the generation of phenol, cyclohexanone as the main products. The excellent catalytic activity, stability and recyclability of the catalyst were probably contributed to the functionalities of amine groups for stabilizing the Rh nanoparticles and the magnetic effect of Fe3O4 support during consecutive recycling of the catalyst. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.