Liquid–gas boundary catalysis by using gold/polystyrene-coated hollow titania

A microparticle material of gold/polystyrene-coated hollow titania was successfully synthesized. The synthesis steps involved hydrothermal synthesis of a carbon sphere from sucrose as a template, coating of the carbon sphere with titania, removal of the carbon sphere to produce hollow titania, followed by coating of polystyrene on the surface of hollow titania and then attachment of gold nanoparticles. It has been demonstrated that this material can float on water due to its low density and it is a potential catalyst for liquid–gas boundary catalysis in oxidation of benzyl alcohol by using molecular oxygen.

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► The hydrothermal synthesis of the carbon sphere from sucrose as a template.
► Size of carbon sphere can be manipulated by controlling the concentration of sucrose.
► Coating of polystyrene on the surface of hollow titania by in situ polymerization method.
► Floating catalyst for oxidation of benzyl alcohol with molecular oxygen.