Photocatalytic Synthesis of Phenol by Direct Hydroxylation of Benzene by a Modified Nanoporous Silica (LUS-1) under Sunlight

Fe-g-C3N4-LUS-1 was prepared by the thermal decomposition of dicyandiamide inside the pores of LUS-1 under an inert atmosphere. It was used as a photocatalyst for the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol in sunlight. The catalysts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. In Fe-g-C3N4-LUS-1, a single layer of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was formed on the surface of LUS-1. The photocatalytic activity of the iron containing g-C3N4 based catalysts was investigated, and the catalytic activity was remarkably enhanced when the reaction condition was changed from dark to sunlight. The best result was obtained with 20%Fe-g-C3N4-LUS-1 in sunlight.

Graphical abstractFe-g-C3N4 was loaded in the pores of LUS-1 and was used as a photocatalyst for the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol in sunlight.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide