Au/CuSiO3 nanotubes: High-performance robust catalysts for selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde

Novel gold-supporting silicate nanotubes are synthesized via a hydrothermal method followed by colloid deposition. Their catalytic performance for the selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde is assessed. The results show that Au/CuSiO3 nanotubes exhibit both high activity and selectivity at high gas hourly space velocity (GHSV). Ethanol conversion can reach up to similar to 98%, and the selectivity for acetaldehyde is similar to 93% at 250 A degrees C and similar to 100,000 mL center dot gcat(-1)center dot h(-1). In comparison, the catalytic activity of Au/MgSiO3 nanotubes is relatively low, and ethanol conversion reaches only similar to 25% at 250 A degrees C. However, when Cu species are added to Au/MgSiO3, the catalytic activity improves significantly, indicating that the interactions between Au nanoparticles and Cu species are responsible for the high performance for selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde.