Nickel substituted copper chromite spinels: Preparation, characterization and catalytic activity in the oxidation reaction of ethylbenzene

Nickel substituted copper chromite spinels (Cu1−xNixCr2O4, where x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0) were prepared by homogeneous co-precipitation method. The materials were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern reveals the spinel phase formation and energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicates the correct stoichiometry. Liquid-phase oxidation of ethylbenzene using TBHP (70%) as an oxidant shows that the catalysts are highly active. Leaching studies performed by hot filtration experiments and reusability studies show that nickel substituted copper chromite spinels are stable under the reaction conditions.