Ag/ZnO Nanocomposites: Preparation, Characterization and Investigation of the Catalytic Activity for Oxidation of Toluene in Liquid Phase

In this research, Ag/ZnO nanocomposites were prepared and characterized by transition electron microscopy (TEM), the energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) and X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD). These nanocomposites were used as catalysts for the oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde and benzoic acid with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidizing agent in the liquid phase. For these Ag/ZnO nanocomposites, acetonitrile was used as a solvent, since all the reagents dissolved and show the highest yields. The oxidation products of toluene are benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. The results of this study showed that oxidant and the catalyst type affected the efficiency of toluene oxidation. TBHP was found to be better oxidizing agent than H2O2 since higher efficiency of product were observed when TBHP was used. The catalytic performance of 2.5%Ag/ZnO nanocomposite was better than the 1% and 5%Ag/ZnO nanocomposites. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the catalytic system of 2.5%Ag/ZnO nanocomposite gave about 76.3% efficiency of toluene.