Mesoporous halloysite nanotubes modified by CuFe(2)O(4) spinel ferrite nanoparticles and study of its application as a novel and efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of pyrazolopyridine derivatives

In this study, mesoporous halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were modified by CuFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles for the first time. The morphology, porosity and chemistry of the CuFe(2)O(4)@HNTs nanocomposite were fully characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) image, transmission electron microscope (TEM) images, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) adsorption-desorption isotherm, thermogravimetric (TG) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) curve analyses. The results confirmed that CuFe(2)O(4) with tetragonal structure, uniform distribution, and less agglomeration was located at HNTs. CuFe(2)O(4)@HNTs nanocomposite special features were high thermal stability, crystalline structure, and respectable magnetic property. SEM and TEM results showed the nanotube structure and confirmed the stability of basic tube in the synthetic process. Also, inner diameters of tubes were increased in calcination temperature at 500 °C. A good magnetic property of CuFe(2)O(4)@HNTs led to use it as a heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of pyrazolopyridine derivatives. High efficiency, green media, mild reaction conditions and easily recovery of the nanocatalyst are some advantages of this protocol.