Synthesis and characterization of Al- and Ti-MCM-41 materials: Application to oxidation of anthracene

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of new molecular sieves of the MCM-41 type are presented in this study. Samples were obtained from the alkoxides of Si, Ti and Al and different long-chain amine and alkylammonium salts surfactants, by the sol-gel method, through moderate agitation at room temperature. The reactions were conducted in two steps, acid hydrolysis (pH=2) and alkaline condensation (pH=10), both taking about 90min. The synthesized crystals were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and X-Ray diffraction. Pore diameters and surface areas were measured by N 2 adsorption at 77K. Catalytic tests were conducted for anthracene oxidation using different oxidants (H2O2, alkylhydroperoxide) and organic solvents (benzene, tetrahydrofuran).