NiCoFe spinel-type oxide nanosheet arrays derived from layered double hydroxides as structured catalysts

Abstract

Immobilization of catalysts is a trend in future industrial catalysis and environmental protection. Here, NiCoFe spinel-type oxide nanosheet arrays were fabricated by using layered double hydroxides (LDH) as precursors and investigated as structural catalysts for alkenes oxidation. The NiCoFe spinel-type oxide nanosheet arrays exhibited high catalytic activity (72% conversion) and selectivity (64% for benzaldehyde) at 12 h towards the oxidation of styrene by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). These good catalytic performances were mainly attributed to the unique nanosheet array structure and the substitution of cobalt. This strategy can be extended to other spinel-type oxide nanoarrays on metallic substrates and offers new opportunities for the design of new types of highly efficient structured catalysts.