Adsorption synthesized cobalt-containing mesoporous silica SBA-15 as highly active catalysts for epoxidation of styrene with molecular oxygen

Co2+ was introduced into aminopropyl-functionalized mesoporous silica SBA-15 by an adsorption method. Characterizations with XRD and HRTEM suggested that the prepared material still retained a highly ordered structure, and the cobalt ions were highly dispersed in the molecular sieves. The cobalt-containing SBA-15 was considerably active in the epoxidation of styrene with O-2. Cobalt content, preparation method and oxidant influenced the catalytic performance. The material possessed better stability and recyclability in the reaction. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.