Synthesis of Fe₃O₄ core/alumina shell nanospheres for partial hydrogenation of benzene

We report a novel synthesis of Fe₃O₄ core/alumina shell nanosphere composite for partial hydrogenation of benzene. Fe₃O₄ core/alumina shell (MFeCA) structured nanospheres were obtained by reducing a hematite core/alumina precursor shell (HFeCAP) nanosphere precursor under H₂/N₂ gas flow. The magnetic alumina nanospheres (MFeCAs) possess not only uniform size (180∼350nm) but also adjusted saturation magnetization value. A novel Ru-based magnetic catalyst was synthesized for the partial hydrogenation of benzene in magnetically stabilized bed (MSB). The performance of magnetic catalyst in MSB demonstrates that it's an effective and highly selective method for partial hydrogenation of benzene. The chain regime of the MSB reactor's operation conditions is responsible for the high selectivity of cyclohexene. (paper)