CuCo2O4 spinel supported on dealuminized metakaolinite for partial glycerol oxidation

A set of catalysts based on the mixed Cu-Co oxide supported on a porous dealuminized metakaolinite was synthesized and evaluated in the partial oxidation of glycerol under greener conditions. The characterization results confirmed the formation of an inverse spinel structure (CuCo2O4) as the active phase. High glycerol conversion (70.6%) and selectivity to dihydroxyacetone (88.2%) were obtained at 80 °C and 1:2 glycerol:H2O2 molar ratio, after 4 h of reaction, using a metal load of 10 wt% on the support. The catalytic activity results suggest that this reaction is sensitive to the metal oxide particle size, but the selectivity is unaffected. •Micro and mesoporous metakaolinite were prepared from a natural clay (kaolin).•Inverse spinel structure (CuCo2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized and supported on porous metakaolinite.•High dispersed nanoparticles favor the conversion of crude glycerol and selective production of dihydroxyacetone at 80 °C.•Catalyst with low metal load of 5 wt% and 10 wt% was the most active in the partial glycerol oxidation.