Cu3Pt1–Cu2O nanocomposites: synergistic effect-dependent high activity and stability for the gas-phase selective oxidation of alcohols

The catalyst Cu3Pt1–Cu2O/SiC was facilely prepared via the in situ reaction of the corresponding compounds supported on SiC in the reaction stream. Cu3Pt1–Cu2O/SiC exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the oxidation of alcohols (conversion of benzyl alcohol and selectivity of benzyl aldehyde are 93% and 98% respectively). The reduction of active Cu2O to inactive Cu0 is the cause behind the deactivation of Cu/SiC. For Cu3Pt1–Cu2O-7/SiC, a Cu2O–Cu3Pt1 alloy formed under the reaction conditions plays an important role in the reaction. Active 5 nm Cu2O nanoparticles are stabilized by the inactive Cu3Pt1 alloy, which was confirmed by control experiments, characterization results and a three-step experiment.