ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Microwave hydrothermal synthesis, characterisation, and catalytic performance of Zn_1−xMn_xO in cellulose conversion

Maria I. B. Bernardi, Vinícius D. Araújo, Caue Ribeiro, Waldir Avansi, Elson Longo, Nilson J. A. de Albuquerque, Simoni M. P. Meneghetti, Rusiene M. Almeida, and Humberto V. Fajardo

Institute of Physics - USP, 13560-970, São Carlos - SP, Brazil

E-mail: hfajardo@iceb.ufop.br

Abstract: Wurtzite-type Zn_1−xMn_xO (x = 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07) nanostructures were successfully synthesised using a simple microwave-assisted hydrothermal route and their catalytic properties were investigated in the cellulose conversion. The morphology of the nanocatalysts is dopant-dependent. Pure ZnO presented multi-plate morphology with a flower-like shape of nanometric sizes, while the Zn_0.97Mn_0.03O sample is formed by nanoplates with the presence of spherical nanoparticles; the Zn_0.95Mn_0.05O and Zn_0.93Mn_0.07O samples are mainly formed by nanorods with the presence of a small quantity of spherical nanoparticles. The catalyst without Mn did not show any catalytic activity in the cellulose conversion. The Mn doping promoted an increase in the density of weak acid sites which, according to the catalytic results, favoured promotion of the reaction.

Keywords: zinc oxide – catalysts – hydrothermal synthesis – cellulose

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-013-0468-8

Chemical Papers 68 (9) 1213–1218 (2014)