Growth mechanism of N-doped graphene materials and their catalytic behavior in the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene

N-doped graphene materials were prepared from both inorganic and organic nitrogen sources and pyrolytic graphene oxide as the carbon substrate. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to investigate the detailed growth mechanism of the N species in these N-doped graphene materials. The different chemical nature and binding energy of the different N species resulted in their different trends with annealing temperature. These N-doped graphene are excellent catalysts in the oxidation of ethylbenzene. A high yield of acetonphenone did not depend on the total nitrogen amount but only on the type of nitrogen species. Too much defects and N-dopants were detrimental to this reaction. A proper activation of the oxidant is needed to get good catalytic activity.

Graphical AbstractGrowth mechanisms of N-doped graphene materials, which are good catalysts in the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene, were investigated. The kinetic control of the decomposition of the oxidants is important in this reaction.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide