Preparation of mesoporous Fe2O3-Supported ZSM-5 zeolites by carbon-templating and their evaluation as photo-fenton catalysts to degrade organic pollutant

Abstract

Mesoporous Fe2O3-supported ZSM-5 zeolites were prepared by carbon-templating and subsequently evaluated as photo-Fenton catalysts to degrade a dye used as a model heavy organic pollutant. The synthesis procedure of the mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites was performed employing a nucleating gel and carbon particles as mesopores template. Thereafter, the precursor salt of the iron oxide (Fe2O3) was impregnated and then calcined to obtain the final catalyst. For comparison purposes, a conventional Fe2O3-supported ZSM-5 zeolite was also prepared. The results showed that the amount of intracrystalline mesopores formed in the ZSM-5 crystals was influenced by the amount of carbon added into the synthesis mixture. In comparison to the conventional prepared catalyst, the mesoporous Fe2O3/ZSM-5 ones showed an improved performance in the degradation of the target organic pollutant by the photo-Fenton reaction, which was attributed to the improvement of their textural properties as consequence of the mesopores generation.