Efficient and reusable Co/nitrogen doped hollow carbon sphere catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of styrene Original Research Article

Monodispersed hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) were made by decomposition of gaseous CH3CN over silica Stöber spheres in a CVD reaction. The nitrogen doped HCSs (N = 8.7%) were used as support for well dispersed Co3O4 nanoparticles (7–8 nm; 1% and 2% Co). The Co/N-HCS samples were calcined at various temperatures. The materials calcined at 300 °C for 3 h were found to oxidize styrene to styrene oxide (styrene epoxidation) using dry air as oxidant (120 °C/DMF) with 99% styrene conversion and 85% selectivity to styrene oxide; they could also be reused in repeat catalytic reactions.