Transitional metal oxides have attracted substantial research interest due to their diverse catalytic effects and relatively low costs compared with those of precious metals. We herein report the facile construction of MnO_x decorated CeO₂ hollow microspheres with rich interfaces and phase boundaries, displaying superior reaction performance than the pristine CeO₂ in the selective oxidation of styrene. The MnO_x-CeO₂ composite catalyst presents intensive electronic interaction and abundant oxygen vacancies anchored at the interfacial sites, which is beneficial for the generation of active oxygen species with high mobility and reactivity. The intimately contacted MnO_x species act as engines to promote the oxygen transfer process and the Ce³⁺ ↔ Ce⁴⁺ cyclic process during the oxidation. This work opens up a new avenue for the rational design of unique metallic oxide catalysts toward organic oxidation transformation.

Graphical Abstract

Intriguing MnO_x decorated CeO₂ hollow microspheres display superior reaction performance than the pristine CeO₂ in the selective oxidation of styrene.