The preparation of silver nanoparticles/carbon nanofibers as catalyst in the styrene epoxidation

The composite nanofibers Ag nanoparticles/carbon nanofibers (Ag NPs/CNFs) were fabricated by electrospinning and high-temperature calcination technology. In the process, AgNO3/PAN (polyacrylonitrile)/DMF solutions were used as spinning solution precursor and hydrogen as reducing agent. The as-prepared fibers were characterized by infrared absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The result indicated that the Ag NPs (10–30 nm) were well-distributed in the CNFs. The catalytic activity of the Ag NPs/CNFs composite nanofibers were measured in the styrene epoxidation. The Ag NPs/CNFs supported catalyst suggested high catalytic activity in the styrene epoxidation.