Coordination polymers-derived core-shell Co@N–C nanostructures as efficient dual functional catalysts for nitrate electroreduction and Fenton-like catalytic dye degradation

A new Co-coordination polymer was prepared and thermally converted into the special Co@N–C core-shell nanostructures. It was demonstrated as the efficient and stable electrocatalyst for nitrate electroreduction of (NO₃⁻-RR). In neutral Cl⁻-free electrolyte, nitrate was electrochemically reduced into harmless nitrogen (N₂–N) with 94% nitrate conversion and 97% N₂–N selectivity. This Co@N–C material also acted as the efficient catalysts in Fenton-like catalytic degradation system. With very low catalyst amount of 0.1g ‧L⁻¹, about 90% of Rhodamine B solution (50 ​mg/L) was quickly degraded within 2 ​min in the existence of peroxymonosulfate even without additional irradiation.