CuCo2O4 spinel supported on dealuminized metakaolinite for partial glycerol oxidation

A set of catalysts based on the mixed Cu-Co oxide supported on a porous dealuminized metakaolinite was synthesized and evaluated in the partial oxidation of glycerol under greener conditions. The characterization results confirmed the formation of an inverse spinel structure (CuCo2O4) as the active phase. High glycerol conversion (70.6%) and selectivity to dihydroxyacetone (88.2%) were obtained at 80 degrees C and 1:2 glycerol:H2O2 molar ratio, after 4 h of reaction, using a metal load of 10 wt% on the support. The catalytic activity results suggest that this reaction is sensitive to the metal oxide particle size, but the selectivity is unaffected.

Automated summary

A set of catalysts based on mixed Cu-Co oxide were synthesized for the partial oxidation of glycerol. The catalysts were supported on a porous dealuminized metakaolinite material. The results showed high glycerol conversion and selectivity to dihydroxyacetone under specific reaction conditions. The catalytic activity was affected by the size of the metal oxide particles, while the selectivity remained unaffected.