Facile synthesis of nanostructured Co3O4 using cobalt fumarate as the precursor and its catalytic exploration in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol

Nanoscale cobalt oxide with particle size of 12–17 nm was prepared via a facile calcination route using cobalt fumarate as the precursor. The one-step method involves the simple calcination of cobalt fumarate precursor at temperatures 400–600°C. The crystallographic phase purity and other microstructural characteristics are thoroughly investigated using several physical techniques, including, powder XRD, SEM, TEM, and UV-visible and IR spectroscopy. Among the prepared oxides, Ru-supported Co₃O₄ demonstrated remarkable catalytic activity in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol using TBHP as an oxidant. The Ru-supported catalyst gives 95% alcohol conversion with 97% selectivity for benzaldehyde and can be recycled for several consecutive runs without major loss of activity.

Graphical abstract

Cobalt fumarate precursor is calcined at four different temperatures viz. 400–600°C to synthesize nanoscale cobalt oxide. The trace of Ru is doped to enhance the catalytic performance of cobalt oxide in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol using TBHP. Ru@Co₃O₄ gives almost complete alcohol conversion with excellent selectivity for benzaldehyde and reusability.