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MDPI, Nanomaterials, 5(11), p. 1259, 2021

DOI: 10.3390/nano11051259

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Exploiting the Potential of Biosilica from Rice Husk as Porous Support for Catalytically Active Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Journal article published in 2021 by Ana Franco, Rafael Luque ORCID, Carolina Carrillo-Carrión ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Biomass-derived materials are put forward as eco-friendly alternatives to design heterogeneous catalysts. To contribute in this field, we explored the potential of mesoporous biogenic silica (RH-Silica) obtained from lignocellulosic waste, in particular from rice husk, as an inorganic support to prepare heterogenized iron oxide-based catalysts. Mechanochemistry, considered as a green and sustainable technique, was employed to synthetize iron oxide nanoparticles in pure hematite phase onto the biosilica (α-Fe2O3/RH-Silica), making this material a good candidate to perform catalyzed organic reactions. The obtained material was characterized by different techniques, and its catalytic activity was tested in the selective oxidation of styrene under microwave irradiation. α-Fe2O3/RH-Silica displayed a good catalytic performance, achieving a conversion of 45% under optimized conditions, and more importantly, with a total selectivity to benzaldehyde. Furthermore, a good reusability was achieved without decreasing its activity after multiple catalytic cycles. This work represents a good example of using sustainable approaches and green materials as alternatives to conventional methods in the production of high-added value products.