Synthesis of efficient Co and N co-doped carbon catalysts with high surface areas for selective oxidation of ethylbenzene

In this manuscript, Co and N co-doped carbon catalysts with high surface areas were prepared via the pyrolysis of cobalt nitrate and 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate, using Mg(OH)2 as a pore former, followed by acid etching. Techniques such as BET analysis, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, and Raman and XRD spectroscopy were employed to characterize the as-prepared catalysts. The results revealed that the pore formers were beneficial for improving the physicochemical properties of the catalysts with higher specific surface areas, larger pore volumes and more surface active sites in comparison with those of the sample without the addition of Mg(OH)2. Moreover, the as-prepared catalysts show a remarkable catalytic performance for selective oxidation of ethylbenzene with 99.8% ethylbenzene conversion and 99.9% selectivity to acetophenone. In addition, the efficient catalytic performance of the catalysts was ascribed to the improved structure–activity relationship, suitable ratio of Co2+ to Co3+ and the synergistic effect between Co and N-C.