Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of Au/MCM-41 catalysts prepared by homogeneous deposition–precipitation (HDP) method for vapor phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol

• The vapor phase benzyl alcohol (PhCH2OH) oxidation was investigated over Au/MCM-41catalysts under aerobic conditions.
• Au/MCM-41catalysts were prepared by homogeneous deposition–precipitation (HDP) method.
• 2 wt% Au/MCM-41catalyst exhibits high activity for PhCH2OH oxidation.
• XPS results suggest that the presence of Au (0) on mesoporous MCM-41.
• The catalytic performances were significantly affected by the morphology and surface active sites of Au nanoparticles on MCM-41 during PhCH2OH oxidation.

The vapor phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol was investigated over Au/MCM-41 catalysts under aerobic conditions. The catalysts were prepared by homogeneous deposition–precipitation (HDP) method. The physico-chemical properties of the catalysts were investigated by XRD, TEM, BET surface area, CO-chemisorption, and XPS techniques. The influence of metal, nature of the support, the metal–support interactions, the catalytic activity, and stability of the Au/MCM-41 catalysts were investigated. The conversion of benzyl alcohol was increasing with decrease in the size of Au nanoparticles. Au/MCM-41 catalysts with smaller Au nanoparticles had a beneficial effect on the catalytic properties during the oxidation of benzyl alcohol.

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