Catalytic Evaluation of CuO/[Si]MCM‐41 in Fenton‐like Reactions

CuO/[Si]MCM‐41 catalysts with various Si/Cu molar ratios were prepared and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, temperature‐programmed reduction by H₂, and UV‐vis and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of copper loading and pH on their activity in the decolorization of methyl orange were studied in a heterogeneous Fenton‐like process. With decreasing Si/Cu ratio, dye decolorization increased from 18 to 75 % at pH 3. CuO/[Si]MCM‐41 catalysts showed 75, 50, and 40 % conversion of methyl orange at pH 3, 5, and 7, respectively. This is a significant improvement to Fenton‐like reactions involving copper, and thus CuO/[Si]MCM‐41 catalysts are quite promising for pollutant degradation.