Activity and resistance of iron-containing amorphous, zeolitic and mesoestructured materials for wet peroxide oxidation of phenol

Abstract

Iron containing materials have been prepared following several strategies of synthesis and using different silica supports (amorphous, zeolitic and mesostructured materials). Activity and stability of these materials was evaluated on heterogeneous Fenton-type processes for the removal of phenol under mild reaction conditions (T=100º, P=0.1 MPa). Their catalytic performance was monitored in terms of phenol and total organic carbon (TOC) conversions, by-products distribution (aromatics compounds and carboxylic acids) and degree of metal leached into the aqueous solution. The nature and local environment of iron species is strongly dependent on the synthetic route, which dramatically influences on their catalytic performance. Crystalline iron oxide species supported over mesostructured SBA-15 materials have demonstrated to be the most interesting catalysts for phenol degradation according to its high organic mineralization, low sensitive to be leached out and better oxidant efficiency for Fenton like reactions.