P123-Templated Co3O4/Al2O3 Mesoporous Mixed Oxides for Epoxidation of Styrene

$Co_3O_4$, $Al_2O_3$ and $Co_3O_4$/$Al_2O_3$ mesoporous powders were prepared by a sol-gel method with starting matierals of aluminum isopropoxide and cobalt (II) nitrate. A P123 template is employed as an active organic additive for improving the specific surface area of the mixed oxide by forming surfactant micelles. A transition metal cobalt oxide supported on alumina with and without P123 was tested to find the most active and selective conditions as a heterogeneous catalyst in the reaction of styrene epoxidation. A bBlock copolymer-P123 template was added to the staring materials to control physical and chemical properties. The properties of $Co_3O_4$/$Al_2O_3$ powder with and without P123 were characterized using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), a Bruner-Emmertt-Teller (BET) surface analyzer, and $^{27}Al$ MAS NMR spectroscopy. Powders with and without P123 were compared in catalytic tests. The catalytic activity and selectivity were monitored by GC/MS, $^1H$, and $^{13}C$-NMR spectroscopy. The performance for the reaction of epoxidation of styrene was observed to be in the following order: [$Co_3O_4$/$Al_2O_3$ with P123-1173 K > $Co_3O_4$/$Al_2O_3$ with P123-973 K > $Co_3O_4$-973 K>$Co_3O_4$/$Al_2O_3$-973 K > $Co_3O_4$/$Al_2O_3$ with P123-1473 K > $Al_2O_3$-973 K]. The existence of ${\gamma}$-alumina and the nature of the surface morphology are related to catalytic activity.