A Simple Method to Prepare Bimetallic Ag–Cu/Cu2O Carbon Fibers Applied in the Regulation of Styrene Epoxidation Reaction

In this paper, a simple method to prepare three different catalysts was reported. Ag carbon fiber, Cu/Cu2O carbon fiber and Ag–Cu/Cu2O carbon fiber were prepared by electrospinning and high temperature carbonization. Ag nanoparticles were formed by in situ reduction of silver nitrate that DMF was used as reducing agent and got the Ag carbon fiber through the carbonization technology. Cu (NO3)2 was added into Ag/PAN/DMF solution and PAN/DMF solution, respectively, so Cu nanoparticles and Cu2O nanoparticles were got through the high temperature carbonization and the reduction. The morphologies of fibers and nanoparticles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope. The effect of three kinds of catalyst was investigated by oxidation of styrene and three different results were got. The conversation of styrene got to 99 % when Ag–Cu/Cu2O carbon fiber and Cu/Cu2O carbon fiber were used as the catalyst. When the catalyst was Ag–Cu/Cu2O carbon fiber, the selectivity of styrene oxide and benzaldehyde were 41.9 and 40.6 %, respectively. The main product was only one when Ag carbon fiber or Cu/Cu2O carbon fiber was used as the catalyst. Therefore, Cu/copper oxide-silver bimetallic catalyst provided an efficient catalyst in styrene epoxidation reaction.