Synthesis, Characterization, Catalytic Performance of Magnetically Recoverable Nano-Au/ Mceox (M : Fe, Co and Ni) in Direct Oxidative Esterification of Methylacrolein and Methanol

Series of magnetic metal-doped cerium oxide (MCeO x , M=Fe, Co and Ni) were synthesized and applied to support nano-gold (Au) as catalyst for synthesis of methyl methacrylate (MMA) through gas-liquid-solid three-phase oxidation esterification of methacrolein (MAL) and methanol (MeOH). Hydrothermal synthesis method was applied for MCeO x preparation and deposition-precipitation method was for nano-Au supported catalyst. Structure and morphology of catalyst were characterized by XRD, H 2 -TPR, NH 3 -TPD, FT-IR, TG, BET and TEM-EDS, and magnetism of catalyst was analyzed via hysteresis loops. Catalyst performances were evaluated in a micro batch reactor and magnetic recovery times and cycle life of the catalyst were studied. Kinetics of oxidative esterification reaction was carried out. Surface catalytic reaction mechanism on Au/CeO 2 was established and transition states of oxidative esterification was obtained using density functional theory (DFT). Magnetically recoverable nano-Au/ FeCeO x catalysts maintain stable activity after 5 cycles, which makes it a promising catalyst for industrial application