Abstract
A series of carbon nanotube (CNT)-supported amorphous Co–B alloy catalysts were prepared by selectively depositing Co–B particles inside and/or outside of CNTs. The effects of the nanotubular structure on the physiochemical properties of the amorphous Co–B alloys were studied. It was found that the internal loading enhanced the thermal stability of the amorphous Co–B alloys and inhibited the loss of Co compared with the external loading. The internal loading also increased the proportion of elemental Co in the Co–B alloys, while the loading method did not change the valence states of either Co or B. The internally loaded Co–B particles exhibited higher hydrogenation activity for m-chloronitrobenzene (m-CNB) than the externally loaded analogue. The kinetics of m-CNB hydrogenation were also studied.