Characterization and catalytic properties of mesoporous CuO/SBA-16 prepared by different impregnation methods

CuO/SBA-16 catalysts were prepared by two different routes - the conventional impregnation method and the modified impregnation method with pH adjustment. These catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), N₂ physisorption and hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) measurements which reveal that the cubic cagelike (Im3m) pore structure of the parent SBA-16 molecule sieves was well maintained throughout the synthesis. After introduction of Cu, a different CuO dispersion exists on these catalysts. The CuO/SBA-16 prepared by modified impregnation method has a single highly dispersed CuO which is considered as a highly efficient species for hydroxylation of phenol with H₂O₂. CuO/SBA-16 prepared by the conventional impregnation method shows the presence of bulk CuO species which is undesirable for this reaction.