Ni/mZSM-5 and Ni/H-mZSM-5 were synthesized as hierarchical (micro/meso porous) ZSM-5 zeolites by an indirect template method for the first time. The resulting zeolite materials exhibited significantly enhanced diffusional properties in comparison to purely microporous zeolite materials. The structural and morphological characterization of the prepared catalysts was investigated using XRD, BET, atomic absorption spectroscopy, FT-IR, ²⁷Al-MAS NMR, SEM, TEM, XPS and DRS-UV techniques. These hierarchical zeolites were used as acid–metal bi-functional heterogeneous catalysts for hydride transfer in the reduction of nitro aromatic compounds. In these reactions, NaBH₄ was used as a reducing agent. Excellent yields at room temperature and very short reaction times in aqueous media conditions were obtained. Reusability experiments showed the excellent stability of Ni/mZSM-5 and Ni/H-mMZSM-5 and the catalysts could be reused 7 times without much loss of activity in reduction of nitro aromatic compounds. Surprisingly, the acid form of Ni/H-mZSM-5 showed much higher activity than that of Ni/mZSM-5. High yield, short reaction time, green solvent (water), room temperature, no by-product, the easy reusability of catalysts and the low amounts of catalyst required are some of the advantages of these catalysts.

Interfacial modular assemblies of eco‐friendly metal–phenolic networks (MPNs) are of interest for surface and materials engineering. To date, most MPNs are assembled on water‐stable substrates; however, the self‐assembly of MPNs on highly water‐soluble substrates remains unexplored. Herein, a versatile approach is reported to engineer thickness‐tunable coatings (2–25 µm) on a water‐soluble substrate (i.e., urea) via the self‐assembly of MPNs in a nonaqueous solvent (i.e., acetonitrile). The coordination‐driven assembly of the MPN coatings in the nonaqueous solvent is distinct from that in aqueous systems, as the assembly is only achieved following the addition of urea granules into the iron–tannin solution. The coating occurs relatively rapidly (5–60 min), generating micrometer‐thick coatings from the adsorption of Fe^III–TA complexes and micrometer‐sized Fe^III–TA particles formed in solution. The straightforward nature of the present fabrication method in generating thick and robust coatings with high stability in nonaqueous environments (including at 60 °C) coupled with the broad range of available naturally abundant polyphenol–metal ion combinations expand the applicability of MPNs as coatings for water‐soluble materials, thus providing new opportunities for their broader application in a range of industrial processes and applications.