Facile synthesis of α-Zn2V2O7 and its catalytic role for the photo mediated conversion of benzyl alcohol

The hydroxide co-precipitation approach is demonstrated to prepare Zn2V2O7 in a reproducible and straightforward manner. Based on the structural refinement of the PXRD pattern along with FTIR, Raman spectra, and microscopic analysis, the thortveitite structure for Zn2V2O7 is confirmed. The sample shows a surface area of 45.3 m(2)/g (BET) and has pores with a mean pore diameter of 30.9 nm. The V5+-O2- charge transfer transition manifests as intense absorbance in the UV region, yielding a bandgap of 2.9 eV. The sample catalyzed the photo-oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde (86%) and benzoic acid (14%) in 120 min. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.