Effective catalytic performance of the transition metal
oxide is
attributed to high specific surface areas, abundant surface oxygen
atoms, and balanced valence ratios. Although the chirality of the
transition metal has attracted attention, most studies have focused
on optical application. A few chiral transition metal oxides were
used as electrocatalysts and photocatalysts. The influence of the
chiral catalysts on the thermal catalysis process has been less explored.
In this study, Mn-loaded chiral (M/l-CuO and M/d-CuO) and achiral CuO (M/a-CuO) were synthesized and compared
in the catalytic oxidization of toluene. Spectrally analyzed Mn was
well-dispersed on both chiral and achiral CuO. l-CuO and d-CuO showed nanoflower-like chirality. The angles between each
(001) plane of CuO were the source of chirality. The toluene turnover
frequency (TOF) of the samples was in the order of Mn/d-CuO
(5.6 × 10–5 s–1) > Mn/l-CuO (4.4 × 10–5 s–1) > Mn/a-CuO (3.2 × 10–5 s–1) at 240 °C, consistent with the order of the
oxygen replenishment
rate. The as-prepared catalysts had similar ratios of lattice oxygen/surface
adsorbed oxygen, Mn3+/Mn4+, and Cu+/Cu2+. A higher TOF was attributed to chirality, which
increased the lattice oxygen replenishment speed from the gaseous
phase to the solid surface. Our study indicates gas–solid catalysis
from a structure–activity viewpoint.