Selective oxidation of toluene using Ag nanoparticles self-supported on Ag2V4O11 nanobelts

Ag nanoparticles self-supported on Ag2V4O11 nanobelts (Ag/Ag2V4O11 NBs) are synthesized using a sonochemical-hydrothermal method. Ag/Ag2V4O11 NBs are studied by characterization of powder X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption, transmission electron microscopy, H-2 temperature-programmed reduction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic performances of the as-prepared materials were carefully investigated in gas phase selective oxidation of toluene. Higher catalytic activity and better selectivity to benzaldehyde and benzoic acid are achieved by this belt-like Ag/Ag2V4O11 nanocomposite in gas phase oxidation of toluene in comparison with those of bulk V2O5 and Ag supported on V2O5 nanobelts (Ag/V2O5 NBs). The superior catalytic performance of Ag/Ag2V4O11 NBs was attributed to its unique redox property as well as the synergistic effect between Ag nanoparticles and Ag2V4O11.