Preparation of Ag/α-Al2O3 for ethylene epoxidation through thermal decomposition assisted by extract of Cinnamomum camphora

Abstract

An Ag/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst designed for application in the epoxidation of ethylene was prepared through thermal decomposition assisted by extract of Cinnamomum camphora. The effects of the reaction parameters on the catalytic performance were evaluated, including the extract concentration, calcining temperature and calcining time. The results demonstrated that the thermal decomposition should be conducted at 600 °C in N₂ for 60 min, assisted by 0.25 g mL⁻¹Cinnamomum camphora extract. Compared with a simple thermal decomposition method, the sintering and aggregation of Ag particles and Ag loss during the reaction were alleviated by the presence of the catalyst that had been synthesized with the assistance of biomass.