Carbon nanotubes as catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of cumene to cumene hydroperoxide.

Highlights: [•] Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibits high activity for cumene to cumene hydroperoxide. [•] Cumene oxidation catalyzed by CNTs is proved a radical-involved reaction. [•] The surface functional groups and defects are unfavorable for the catalytic activity. [•] CNTs as a metal-free catalyst for the liquid-phase oxidation displays good stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]