Modified Sol–Gel Prepared Sr(II)-Added Nickel Aluminate Nanocatalysts for Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

Abstract

A series of Sr(II)-added nickel aluminate nanocatalysts with different molar ratios of Ni:Sr (1.0:0.0, 0.9:0.1, 0.8:0.2, 0.7:0.3, 0.6:0.4 and 0.5:0.5) keeping the molar ratio of aluminum constant were synthesized by modified sol-gel method using ethylenediamine and sintered at 900 degrees C. The samples were labeled as NiSA1-900, NiSA2-900, NiSA3-900, NiSA4-900, NiSA5-900, NiSA6-900, respectively. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms and tested for the catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Influence of the reaction parameters (molar ratio of Sr(II) added to nickel aluminate nanocatalyst, reaction time, reaction temperature and solvent effect) on the catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol were studied. It was observed that the addition of Sr(II) improves the performance of the nickel aluminate nanocatalysts towards the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol and decreases the grain size. Higher activity was obtained for the conversion of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde for 0.3 molar percentage Sr(II) added nickel aluminate catalyst (NiSA4-900). Stability and reusability of the catalyst was also investigated.