g-C3N4 modified Co3O4 as efficient catalysts for aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) modified Co 3 O 4 was prepared by impregnation and pyrolysis. The obtained g-C 3 N 4 /Co 3 O 4 was thoroughly characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, TG and N 2 adsorption. Its catalytic performance was investigated in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in liquid phase. High activity as well as excellent selectivity to benzaldehyde can be obtained at mild condition (at atmospheric pressure and temperature of 80 °C). H 2 -TPR and XPS results show that the excellent activity over modified Co 3 O 4 comes from the cooperative action of g-C 3 N 4 and Co 3 O 4 components. g-C 3 N 4 /Co 3 O 4 can also be used as an efficient catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of various aromatic alcohols. However, it is not active for the aerobic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols.