Open AccessSynthesis of a self‐assembled Mn 3 O 4 nanostructure aerogel for the adsorption and oxidative carbonylation of phenol to diphenyl carbonate
Author(s) -
Peng Meng,
Yuan Hua,
Yang Xiaojun,
Yin Chaofan,
Wu Jiaxiong,
Wu Yuanxin
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
micro and nano letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.25
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1750-0443
DOI - 10.1049/mnl.2016.0393
Subject(s) - aerogel , nanostructure , adsorption , diphenyl carbonate , materials science , chemical engineering , phenol , nanoparticle , scanning electron microscope , chemistry , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , catalysis , organic chemistry , composite material , transesterification , engineering
Mn 3 O 4 nanostructure aerogels have been successfully synthesised through an epoxide‐driven sol–gel method with thioacetamide as precursors, followed by lyophilising (freeze drying). The prepared nanostructures were characterised by power X‐ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, surface area measurement (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. The cauliflower‐like and spheroidic morphologies Mn 3 O 4 nanostructure aerogels can be successfully synthesised under different experimental conditions. The growth mechanism for different nanostructures is proposed. The cauliflower‐like Mn 3 O 4 aerogel exhibited higher adsorption capacity for methylene blue and phenol than the spheroidic Mn 3 O 4 aerogel. In addition, the cauliflower‐like Mn 3 O 4 aerogel is a novel co‐catalyst which is more effective for oxidative carbonylation of phenol to diphenyl carbonate. It may be attributed to the largest surface area and the nanostructure of the cauliflower‐like Mn 3 O 4 self‐assembled by small nanoparticles. This work points out the way to develop a novel and more active self‐assembled nanostructure aerogel co‐catalyst for oxidative carbonylation of phenol to diphenyl carbonate.