Shape-controlled synthesis of Cu2O microparticles and their catalytic performances in the Rochow reaction

• Published in: Catalysis science & technology 2012-01, Vol.2 (6), p.127-1212
• Main Authors: Zhang, Zailei, Che, Hongwei, Gao, Jiajian, Wang, Yingli, She, Xilin, Sun, Jin, Gunawan, Poernomo, Zhong, Ziyi, Su, Fabing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2044-4753; 2044-4761
• DOI: 10.1039/c2cy20070h

We report the preparation of Cu 2 O microparticles with different shapes, by simple hydrolyzation and reduction of copper acetate with glucose in a mixture of water-ethanol solvent. The effect of the synthesis conditions on the shape of the Cu 2 O microparticles and their catalytic properties in the Rochow reaction were investigated. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Cu 2 O microparticles with different shapes, such as hexahedron, ananas-like, sphere-like, and star-like shapes, with particle sizes of 2-4 μm, were obtained by tuning the volume ratio of water : ethanol. The hexahedron Cu 2 O microparticles were found to exhibit the best catalytic performance for the synthesis of dimethyldichlorosilane via the Rochow reaction. This work should be helpful in the design and development of novel copper catalysts for organosilane synthesis and understanding their catalytic roles. Hexahedron Cu 2 O microparticles show better catalytic performance for the synthesis of dimethyldichlorosilane in the Rochow reaction than ananas-, sphere-, and star-like Cu 2 O microparticles.