Fe3O4/g-C3N4-CeOx fabricated by in situ-reduction towards solvent-free oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde

Fe and Ce incorporated graphic carbon nitride Fe-Ce/g-C3N4 was fabricated with Fe(NO3)(3), (NH4)(4)Ce (SO4)(4) and g-C3N4 as precursors and its surface composition and structure was identified by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, XPS, ICP-OES and N-2 adsorption-desorption approach. The results demonstrated that the hybrid composite was constituted with Fe3O4 supported on CeOx, where Fe3O4 crystals were formed by in situ reduction of Fe3+ through produced NH3 of g-C3N4 decomposition. The hybrid composite exhibited an efficiently catalytic performance for solvent-free oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde using H2O2 oxidant with 92% conversion and 70.0% selectivity. The dependence of the catalytic activity on the catalyst preparation conditions and reaction conditions were explored and the reusability of the catalyst was discussed.

Automated summary

Fe and Ce incorporated graphic carbon nitride Fe-Ce/g-C3N4 was synthesized and demonstrated efficient catalytic performance for the solvent-free oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde.