SOL-GEL SYNTHESIS OF Fe-Co SUPPORTED SILICA NANOPARTICLES FOR THE CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF PHENOL

Abstract

In this study, Fe-Co nanoparticles supported silica rice husk were successfully prepared at different pH via sol-gel technique. The prepared materials were characterized by Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD), N₂ adsorption-desorption and Ammonia Temperature Programme Desorption (Ammonia-TPD) analyses. Type IV isotherm with H₁ hysteresis loop was exhibited by all the materials. High textural properties, BET surface area and excellent acidity were shown by Fe-Co nanoparticles synthesized at pH 7. The presence of Fe₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ was confirmed from the PXRD analysis. The performance of the materials was evaluated in the solventless oxidation of phenol at 333 K and the activity follows the trend as such: Fe-Co₇ (87.9%) > Fe-Co3 (84.3%) > Fe- Co₉ (76.2%) which strongly correlates with the high acidity properties and surface area of Fe-Co₇.