Copper-Based Silica Nanotubes as Novel Catalysts for the Total Oxidation of Toluene.

Cu (10 wt%) materials on silica nanotubes were prepared via two different synthetic approaches, co-synthesis and wetness impregnation on preformed SiO nanotubes, both as dried or calcined materials, with Cu(NO)2.5HO as a material precursor. The obtained silica and the Cu samples, after calcination at 550 °C for 5 h, were characterized by several techniques, such as TEM, N physisorption, XRD, Raman, H-TPR and XPS, and tested for toluene oxidation in the 20-450 °C temperature range.