Mesoporous V‐Zr Catalysts for Selective Formation of 1,4‐Naphthoquinone by Degradation of Naphthalene with Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

AbstractIn order to control the deep oxidation of naphthalene with hydrogen peroxide for increasing the 1,4‐naphthoquinone selectivity, the mesoporous V−Zr samples were prepared by evaporation induced self‐assembly (EISA) method, and their physical chemical properties were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer, N2 sorption, Raman, temperature programmed oxidation, scanning electron microscope‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope techniques. The characterization results showed that the vanadium species can be successfully homogeneously incorporated into the ordered framework of mesoporous ZrO2, and it would stabilize the tetragonal ZrO2 phase and increase the temperature of phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic phase. The highest surface areas and appropriate pore volumes derived from more oxygen vacancies owing to the valence unbalance between the vanadium and zirconium species for the 12V−Zr‐773 sample with the Xm value of 1.1% has a better catalytic performance than other catalysts, whose selectivity of 1,4‐naphthoquinone can reach 67.7%. The catalytic performance would be promoted and the catalytic stability can be kept well even after reaction for five times using ascorbic acid as reducer. This method can provide a valuable reference for the degradation of naphthalene to the protection of the environment.