Abstract
SrBO3-delta (B=Fe & Co) type perovskite oxides and their 25 % molybdenum doped counterparts, SrFe0.75Mo0.25O3-delta (SFMO) and SrCo0.75Mo0.25O3-delta (SFCO) are synthesized by the conventional solid-state method and systematically characterized using Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermo-gravimetric analysis, nitrogen sorption, and temperature-programmed reduction. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns and FTIR spectral analysis evident the formation of the pure cubic phase and the doping of molybdenum into the perovskite crystal lattice. The variable oxidation states of iron and cobalt and the formation of oxygen vacancies are apparent from the TPR-H-2 and TGA curves, respectively. All of the samples have a lower surface area than porous materials, which is typical of the bulk oxide character. The iron-based perovskite demonstrated superior activity to the cobalt-based one for the oxidation of iso-eugenol to 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin) when employing aqueous H2O2 as the oxidant. The maximum conversion of 73 % with 63 % selectivity for vanillin was obtained within 1.5 h at 60 degrees C over the SFMO catalyst. The catalytic conversion was almost similar upon re-use of the catalyst.