Αn efficient γ-Fe2O3 catalyst for liquid phase air oxidation of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol under mild conditions

γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite) particles were synthesized at 5 °C (LT, low temperature) and 95 °C (HT, high temperature) using a simple chemical protocol. The major reflection in XRD was observed to be of the γ-Fe2O3 phase which was further supported by the XPS analysis. Fe3+ species were responsible for initiation of the oxidation of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. SEM revealed that the morphologies of the catalysts were different for samples prepared at two different temperatures. γ-Fe2O3 (LT) showed the highest catalyst activity (84% conversion) for liquid phase air oxidation of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol with 94% selectivity to the oxidation products at 370 K and ambient pressure conditions.