Plasma-chemically brominated single-walled carbon nanotubes as novel catalysts for oil hydrocarbons aerobic oxidation

Brominated single-walled carbon nanotubes [(Br)n-SWCNT) produced by the plasma-chemical technique were involved in the liquid-phase process of hydrocarbons aerobic oxidation. The significant catalytic effect of the (Br)n-SWCNT was revealed at first by the cumene initiated model oxidation and then in experiments on profound aerobic oxidation of petroleum naphthenic fraction derived from the commercial Azerbaijan (Baku) oils blend diesel cut. The ability of (Br)n-SWCNT to accelerate the aerobic oxidation of the hydrocarbons was found out for the first time. Obviously this phenomenon originates from the peculiarities of electronic configuration of the (Br)n-CNT patterns. The plausible mechanism of (Br)n-SWCNT catalytic action is inclined to the formation of reactive oxygen species. The catalytic activity of (Br)n-SWCNT markedly exceeds the activity of the industrial catalysts, manganese salt of indigenous petroleum acids, used for the liquid phase petroleum hydrocarbons oxidation process.

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► Carbon nanotubes were plasma brominated (6 at%).
► Strong acceleration of the model oxidation of cumene.
► Higher catalytic activity than industrial catalysts.