title: Synthesis of carbon embedded MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Zn and Co) nanoparticles as efficient hydrogenation catalysts.
abstract: Successful synthesis of stable MFe2O4 nanoparticles@C has been realized by applying the novel concept of using levulinic acid possessing carboxyl and carbonyl groups to facilitate the interaction with metal ions (M(2+) and Fe(3+)) and the carbon source (phloroglucinol) in the sol-gel polymerization method. All the samples have been characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, TEM, HRTEM, ICP-AES, CHNS, and N2 adsorption-desorption, and were studied for their performance towards hydrogenation reaction of styrene. Out of three samples NiFe2O4 gave excellent selective hydrogenation activity of styrene to ethyl benzene (100% conversion and 100% selectivity). Optimal production of ethyl benzene over NiFe2O4 nanoparticles@C has been established at 80 °C reaction temperature after 24 h reaction time under 40 bar hydrogen pressure.
authors.affiliation: Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) at CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun-248005, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Devaki
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nandan
authors.forename: Peta
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sreenivasulu
authors.forename: Nagabhatla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Viswanadham
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Jarrod
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newnham