Environmentally Benign Bioderived Carbon Microspheres-Supported Molybdena Nanoparticles as Catalyst for the Epoxidation Reaction

A one-pot synthesis of molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (NPs) supported on bioderived carbon microspheres is reported. The catalyst was synthesized by the low temperature hydrothermal (LTH) method using d-glucose and bagasse as the carbon source. The carbonization of bagasse resulted in the formation of nonuniform carbon microspheres while glucose resulted in uniform carbon spheres. SEM and STEM elemental mapping show the uniform distribution of molybdenum oxide NPs over the carbon microspheres. XPS spectroscopy confirmed that molybdenum was in the Mo6+ oxidation state. The 1% MoO3 supported on carbon microspheres derived from d-glucose showed excellent catalytic activity up to 100% olefin conversion with 100% epoxide selectivity using organic tert-butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidant. The catalyst was successfully used for up to five cycles without losing substantial activity and selectivity.