Gold nanoparticle immobilized porous manganese oxide microspheres as heterogenous catalyst for benzyl alcohol oxidation

A heterogenous catalyst in the form of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) immobilized porous manganese oxide (Mn5O8) microspheres was synthesized. The sol-gel templating method was used for the synthesis of Mn5O8 microspheres. The heterogenous catalyst showed good performance when compared with similar catalysts in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The heterogenous catalyst (Au@Mn5O8) obtained by the immobilization of Au NPs on Mn5O8 microspheres performed 99.4% of benzyl alcohol conversion and 100 % of benzaldehyde formation yield. Also the heterogenous catalyst showed a good stability and agglomeration resistance in the reusabilty experiments. Au@Mn5O8 microspheres could be reused up to 5 times without remarkable loss in the catalytic activity.