Fe modified mesoporous hollow carbon spheres for selective oxidation of ethylbenzene

Fe modified hollow carbon spheres with large cavity and mesoporous shell (Fe-MHCs) were successfully synthesized by a simple pyrolysis and simultaneous deposition method. The organic molecules gases (carbon species) from pyrolysis of polystyrene deposited in the hard template at the catalysis of Fe species existing in the sample during calcination at high temperature. The obtained Fe-MHCs showed uniform spherical morphology with large surface area (924 m(2) g(-1)), mesoporous structure and a certain amount of Fe loaded. The Fe species and the special structure endowed the materials excellent catalytic activity in the oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenone. The conversion of 94.5% and the high selectivity to targeted product (97.4%) could be achieved and the acceptable recycling stability was also exhibited.