Solvothermal synthesis of copper (I) chloride microcrystals with different morphologies as copper-based catalysts for dimethyldichlorosilane synthesis

Xin Chen, Lihua Jia*, Yingli Wang, Lianying Song, Yongxia Zhu, Wuyuan Liu, Ziyi Zhong, Fabing Su

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

CuCl microcrystals with different morphologies such as tetrahedra, etched tetrahedra, tripod dendrites, and tetrapods were synthesized using CuCl2{dot operator}2H2O as the copper precursor in the mixed solvent of acetylacetone and ethylene glycol. The samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscope. Cu(C5H7O2)2 was identified as the key intermediate, and the morphology and structure of the CuCl microcrystals were highly dependent on the reaction time and temperature, as well as the volume of the solvents. The catalytic properties of these CuCl microcrystals were explored in the dimethyldichlorosilane synthesis via Rochow reaction. Compared to the commercial CuCl microparticles with irregular morphology and dense internal structure, the obtained CuCl microcrystals possessed regular morphology and different exposed crystal planes and showed much higher dimethyldichlorosilane selectivity and Si conversion via the Rochow reaction because of the enhanced formation of active CuxSi phase and gas transportation within the dendritic structure, demonstrating the significance of regular morphology of the copper-based catalysts in catalytic organosilane synthesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16-23
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science
Volume404
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Aug 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Catalytic activity
  • Cuprous chloride
  • Microcrystals
  • Rochow reaction
  • Solvothermal method

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