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3-D printed microreactor for continuous flow oxidation of a flavonoid

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Abstract

The scope of the present study aims at demonstrating the application of 3-D printing technology for catalytic applications. A novel microreactor containing immobilized palladium nanocatalyst (Pd/Co3O4) was designed and fabricated in-house for the efficient upgrade of liquid phase morin oxidation from batch to flow procedure. Reaction conditions such as time, reaction temperature, catalyst amount and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration were investigated to fully benchmark the catalytic efficiency in both systems. The conversion and the kinetic data obtained in both systems reveal that the reaction proceeds faster in the flow reactor compared to batch under similar reaction conditions. In addition to enhanced catalytic activity, the stability of both systems was evaluated exemplarily by recycling and reusing recovered catalyst. The microreactor demonstrates an extended service life based on the recyclability studies conducted. Based on these results, the simple, low-cost 3-D printed reactionwares described in this study appears as a promising approach for the oxidation of morin dye in continuous flow.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the National Research Foundation of South Africa for the financial support, {{Grant specific unique reference number (UID) 111710}}. The University of Johannesburg is gratefully acknowledged for funding and the use of TEM in the spectrau laboratory. We also appreciate Mr D. Harris and Dr R. Meyer from Shimadzu South Africa (Pty) Ltd for their analytical instruments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre for Synthesis and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, P.O. Box 524, 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Oyekunle Azeez Alimi, Christianah Aarinola Akinnawo, Oluwatayo R. Onisuru & Reinout Meijboom

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  1. Oyekunle Azeez Alimi
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  2. Christianah Aarinola Akinnawo
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  3. Oluwatayo R. Onisuru
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  4. Reinout Meijboom
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Reinout Meijboom.

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Highlights

• 3D printed flow reactor was designed, fabricated and characterized.

• Palladium nanoparticles supported mesoporous cobalt oxide (Pd/Co3O4) catalyst was prepared and characterized.

• The activity of the catalyst was investigated in batch and continuous flow system and the results are directly compared.

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Alimi, O.A., Akinnawo, C.A., Onisuru, O.R. et al. 3-D printed microreactor for continuous flow oxidation of a flavonoid. J Flow Chem 10, 517–531 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41981-020-00089-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41981-020-00089-3

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