Superamphiphilic carbon from sawdust activated by oxygen/argon mixtures promoting the oxidation of benzyl alcohol in Pickering emulsion

Abstract

Superamphiphilic carbon from sawdust was directly prepared in oxygen/argon. The C element is responsible for the hydrophobic nature and the O element in anhydride and carboxyl groups endows carbon with hydrophilicity. Furthermore, in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol, conversion and yield could reach 94% doubled those of blank experiments in Pickering emulsion due to superamphiphilicity of carbon.