Indium oxide nanocluster doped TiO2 catalyst for activation of molecular O2

The In2O3 nanocluster doped faceted nanosize anatase TiO2 can activate molecular O-2 for styrene epoxidation reaction. The {001} planes of anatase TiO2 are exposed for 550 degrees C calcined samples whereas {101} planes are predominantly observed for 450 degrees C calcined samples. The computational studies highlight that In2O3 is better stabilized on {001} planes of TiO2 resulting in efficient activation of molecular oxygen on In2O3 nanocluster doped {001} faceted TiO2 nanostructures. From the kinetic measurements, it is found that styrene epoxidation reaction is of pseudo-zero order and the corresponding rate constant (k) for the reaction calcined at 450 degrees C is 0.188 h(-1) and at 550 degrees C it is 0.366 h(-1). The activation energy for the reaction is found to be 28.44 kcal mol(-1).