Catalytic performance of MnFeSi composite in selective oxidation of styrene, ethylbenzene and benzyl alcohol

Abstract FeMnSi composite was synthesized from a mecanosynthesis method using SiO 2 nanopowder and FeMn hydrotalcite. The composite was tested in styrene, ethylbenzene and benzyl alcohol oxidations in the presence of H 2 O 2 . The solid was characterized before and after the oxidation reactions through XRD, chemical analyses, textural properties, HRTEM, SEM-EDS, Raman and EPR measurements. Effects of catalyst mass, substrate/H 2 O 2 molar ratios and catalyst’ recyclability were investigated to explore the relationship between the physicochemical properties of the solid and the catalytic performance. Results revealed that FeMnSi catalyst exhibited much higher activity for styrene oxidation compared with ethylbenzene and benzyl alcohol counterparts due to Si providing a relatively stability on the Fe 3+ and Mn 4+ /Mn 3+ sites. The Si was responsible for improving the texture, structure and morphology of the catalyst in styrene oxidation. Best reaction conditions were achieved at temperature of 50 °C, H 2 O 2 to styrene molar ratio of 1, using 100 mg of catalyst.