Design and Application of Ultradispersed Cu in a Carbon Sphere by a Facile Hydrothermal Approach

The synthesis of well-controlled Cu species with ultradispersed characteristics is of significant importance to achieve highly efficient performance. Herein, ultradispersed Cu within a carbon sphere matrix (Cu@C) was obtained using an appropriate amount of glucose reduction and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) capping agent through a hydrothermal approach. The growth procedure of Cu@C proceeded with the first formation of small CTAB-capped Cu species by the reduction of glucose and subsequent carbonization of glucose on the obtained Cu under high temperature and pressure. The resultant Cu@C can be used to generate Cu/carbon nanofiber composites with a helical or straight structure through the thermal decomposition of acetylene. In addition, compared to the control Cu–C catalyst, the Cu@C catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity and stability for the hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol under mild conditions.