Abstract

Six magnetic spinel-type CoFe2O4 samples were prepared in the form of powder by a simple sol–gel auto-combustion method from precursor solutions with different metal concentrations (0.1–0.3 mol L−1) and pH values (<1–10). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy and N2-physisorption. Their catalytic performances for oxidation of cyclohexane were evaluated using oxygen as oxidant in the absence of solvents. The results show that pH values and metal concentrations of precursor solutions play important roles in the sizes, dispersions and morphologies of the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, and thus in their catalytic performances. The sample resulted from precursor solution under the conditions of pH = 7 and metal concentration = 0.1 mol L−1 with the largest surface area, exhibited the best catalytic performance with the highest cyclohexane conversion of 13.7 % and selectivity of 93.9 % for cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone. The CoFe2O4 nanocrystal is also found an efficient catalyst for oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic alkenes.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.