Synthesis and characterization of Fe-Ce-MCM-48 from silatrane precursor via sol–gel process

A series of Fe (0.01 mol) and Ce (0.01 to 0.09 mol) incorporated into MCM-48 framework was successfully synthesized by sol–gel method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a structural directing agent; and silatrane, FeCl3, and cerium glycolate as silica, iron, and cerium sources, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed well-defined order cubic mesoporous structures while N2 adsorption/desorption measurements indicated that the synthesized bimetallic materials had a BET surface area of up to 1225 m2/g, large mesopores (3.1 nm), mean pore volume, and diameters of 0.83 cm2/g and 2.89 nm, respectively. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) revealed the total metal content of the final product. UV–visible absorption spectra confirmed that both iron (Fe3+) and cerium (Ce4+) species highly dispersed in the framework. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the truncated octahedron morphology of Fe-Ce-MCM-48.

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► Bimetallic mesoporous materials were successfully prepared.
► Iron and cerium were highly dispersed into MCM-48 framework.
► All materials showed high surface area over 1000 m2/g.