Synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance of high iron content mesoporous Fe-MCM-41

A series of Fe-MCM-41s with high iron content were synthesized using direct hydrothermal method under alkaline condition using tartaric acid as complexing reagent and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the structure-directing agent. The result samples were characterized by XRD, XRF, N2 adsorption–desorption, EPR, FT-IR, UV–vis and HRTEM techniques. The catalytic performance for the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of DBT was also examined. The results indicated that the mesoporous structure did not collapse until the Fe content reached up to 13.21 wt.% and the iron species were mainly in the framework with tetrahedral coordination and no other species of Fe were detected in the 11.75 wt.% Fe-MCM-41 sample. The prepared samples possessed high specific surface area (1182–782 m2 g−1), big pore volume (1.18–2.86 cm3 g−1) and pore diameter (3.8 nm). The samples exhibited excellent catalytic performance for ODS of DBT by hydrogen peroxide at 50 °C and the sulfur removal did not decline after being recycled four times.

The Fe-MCM-41s with high Fe content were synthesized using direct hydrothermal method and all the iron atoms were incorporated into the framework as Fe wt.% smaller than 11.75%.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Fe-MCM-41s with high Fe content were synthesized using direct hydrothermal method.
► All Fe atoms were incorporated into the framework with Fe wt.% smaller than 11.75%.
► The samples possessed high specific surface area, big pore volume and pore diameter.
► The samples exhibited excellent catalytic performance and reusability for ODS of DBT.