Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of mesoporous iron–titanium mixed oxide for catalytic application

A mixed phase of mesoporous iron–titanium mixed oxide (ITMO) has been successfully synthesized by simple sol–gel technique by taking iron (II) sulphate and Ti-isopropoxide as the precursors and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as the surfactant. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectra (UV–vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), N2 adsorption–desorptions isotherm, temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and gas chromatography (GC). Low-angle XRD (LAXRD) as well as surface area analysis confirms the mesoporosity nature of the catalysts. The phase and crystallinity were revealed by XRD study. The crystallinity of the catalysts increased with increase in calcinations temperature. Catalysts screening were performed for oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone.