Another oxidation catalyst proposed by KFU chemists

The research was undertaken together with South Ural State University, Northeast Petroleum University (China), and Catalonia Institute for Energy Research.

In order to increase the efficiency of the oxidation process, Kazan scientists have selected a unique composition that excludes the presence of noble metals. The high redox potential, stability, and active centers on graphene oxide bring the new catalyst closer to practical use. The new composition shows high selectivity. The development demonstrates positive characteristics, surpasses previously created catalysts. Details of the development were published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.

“The developed entropy-stabilized nanoparticles grafted onto graphene oxide as a heterogeneous catalyst were first synthesized and used for the selective oxidation of one of the oil components, toluene, into oxygen-containing compounds, in this case, into benzaldehyde, which is an important starting material in the petrochemical and chemical industries,” says co-author, Junior Research Associate Mehrabi-Kalajahi Seyedsaeed.

“One of the directions of our center is the development of catalysts for the oxidation of oil and its individual components. This is important for increasing the efficiency of thermal methods of enhanced oil recovery and obtaining the necessary compounds. In this paper, we succeeded in obtaining a catalyst that makes it possible to obtain aldehydes from alkylaromatic compounds in high yields. It may be quite promising for practical use,” adds Mikhail Varfolomeev, Head of Enhanced Oil Recovery at KFU’s World-Class Research Center in Liquid Hydrocarbons.