Synthesis, characterization and catalytic evaluation of cubic ordered mesoporous iron–silicon oxides

Iron was successfully incorporated in FDU-1 type cubic ordered mesoporous silica by a simple direct synthesis route. The (Fe/FDU-1) samples were characterized by Rutherford back-scattering spectrometry (RBS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), N2 sorption isotherm, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The resulting material presented an iron content of about 5%. Prepared at the usual acid pH of −0.3, the composite was mostly formed by amorphous silica and hematite with a quantity of Fe2+ present in the structure. The samples prepared with adjusted pH values (2 and 3.5) were amorphous. The samples’ average pore diameter was around 12.0 nm and BET specific surface area was of 680 m2 g−1. Although the iron-incorporated material presented larger lattice parameter, about 25 nm compared to pure FDU-1, the Fe/FDU-1 composite still maintained its cubic ordered fcc mesoporous structure before and after the template removal at 540 °C. The catalytic performance of Fe/FDU-1 was investigated in the catalytic oxidation of Black Remazol B dye using a catalytic ozonation process. The results indicated that Fe/FDU-1 prepared at the usual acid pH exhibited high catalytic activity in the mineralization of this pollutant when compared to the pure FDU-1, Fe2O3 and Fe/FDU-1 prepared with higher pH of 2 and 3.5.