Synthesis of nanoparticle-built FeVO4 microspheres with improved low temperature catalytic activity in ammoxidation

Highlights: • Nanoparticle-built FeVO₄ microspheres were synthesized via one-step hydrothermal approach. • The FeVO₄ microspheres exhibit unprecedented low temperature catalytic activity. • The conversion of ammoxidation of DCT to DCBN catalyzed by FeVO₄ microspheres reaches up to 87% at 320 °C. FeVO₄ microspheres were successfully fabricated by a hydrothermal approach. Characterization results revealed that the FeVO₄ microspheres are composed of numerous nanoparticles. In the ammoxidation of 2,6-dichlorotoluene (DCT) to 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCBN) catalyzed by FeVO₄ microspheres, the conversion of DCT reaches up to 87% at a much lower temperature of 320 °C in comparison to previously reported catalysts (380–420 °C). The reason for this is that irons greatly improve the electron transport, leading to well reduction redox properties of vanadium species which are important to enhance the initial activation efficiency of C-H bond in methyl group.