New Hydrophobic Cellulose Aerogel Based Titania Catalyst

The development of sustainable and efficient catalysts for the oxidation of organic substrates such as alcohols, alkylarenes, and alkenes is an attractive and challenging work respect to the industrial importance of the oxidation reactions [1-5]. Here, novel hydrophobic cellulose aerogel supported TiO2 nanoparticles with high lipophilicity, superior porosity as well as high catalytic activity was successfully prepared. The nanocomposite aerogel was synthesized in two steps including transformation of cellulose to the cellulose aerogel, and a silanization reaction in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. The aerogel exhibited hydrophobicity with water contact angle of 152.0º. The aerogel exhibited excellent oil/water selective absorption capacity with oil absorption up to 141 g/g. Finally, the nanocomposite was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the oxidation reaction of alcohols, ethylbenzene, and alkenes. High yields, excellent selectivities, mild reaction conditions, recyclability and biocompatibility of the catalyst are important features of the reactions.