Chromium-incorporated TUD-1 as a new visible light-sensitive photo-catalyst for selective oxidation of propane

Chromium was incorporated in the framework of TUD-1 mesoporous silica by a one-pot synthesis procedure, using triethanolamine as a bi-functional template. The Cr-TUD-1 catalyst was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis and Raman spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis and N2 sorption measurements. The results indicate that chromium is incorporated as tetrahedrally co-ordinated Cr6+ in the framework of TUD-1. When tested as a catalyst for the photo-oxidation of propane, Cr-TUD-1 showed high activity and high selectivity towards acetone under visible light irradiation (λ = 435 nm).