Fe-Al-Pillared Clays: Catalysts For Wet Peroxide Oxidation Of Phenol

Catalytic phenol oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (CWPO) was performed over iron containing clays, pillared with Al or mixed Fe-Al complexes. This study deals with the better conditions for the oxidation reaction (temperature, pH, hydrogen peroxide concentration, atmosphere, etc.) in the presence of homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts. The reaction was performed in a dynamic fixed-bed reactor, which gave the effect of the main experimental variables and an estimation of the kinetic parameters. The catalysts were characterized by classical techniques and by electron spin resonance (ESR). From ESR experiments the reaction mechanism involving hydroxyl radicals was also investigated.