Graphene supported ceria - the new perspective catalyst for non-destructive transformations of oxygenates

Graphene-supported cerium oxide has very recently been the focus of much interest as nanocatalysts due to a synergetic effect attractive prospects of which are also in the related sensor technology. Ceria was deposited on graphene, using a chemically simple method. The H₂-TPR measurements and HRTEM, textural and Raman studies were performed. The results were promising, confirming high activity of the material having sufficiently uniform distribution of CeO₂ indicating high catalytic activity. The catalytic high temperature transformations of ethanol and butan-1-ol under anaerobic conditions, i.e. without the participation of molecular oxygen but with participation of oxygen functional groups allowed dehydrogenation and consecutive bimolecular condensation reactions to form esters (Tishchenko reaction) and symmetrical ketones containing 2n - 1 carbon atoms in chains. Depending on the control parameters, ethyl acetate and propan-2-one or butyl butanoate and heptan-4-one can be efficiently obtained. This kind of transformations of oxygenates concern primary alcohols, aldehydes or esters (ketonization only). The gas phase catalytic synthesis can facilitate production of fine-chemicals. Due to the competitive dehydration, few catalysts are able to perform the above transformations. The hybrid component was synthesized with goal of achieving an analog of carbonaceous active phase. (author)