Fe2O3/SBA-15 catalyst synthesized by chemical vapor infiltration for Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction

Fe/SBA-15/carbon composites were synthesized by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) method using ferrocene as concurrent iron and carbon precursor. Accordingly, Fe2O3 nanoparticles supported on mesoporous SBA-15 silica or metallic Fe homogeneously embedded in mesoporous carbon were selectively obtained either by oxidizing the carbon component in air or by removing the silica template using an aqueous NaOH solution. The Fe2O3/SBA-15 and Fe/carbon composites so obtained were thoroughly characterized by N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm measurements, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy and H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR). The effects of CVI duration time and temperature on their corresponding reduction states and particle dispersion, and consequently on their catalytic performances during benzylation reaction of benzene with benzyl chloride were examined and discussed.