MCM-48 supported chromium catalyst for trichloroethylene oxidation

MCM-48 supported chromium (Cr/MCM-48) catalyst was prepared by introduction of chromium chloride during gel-preparation for the hydrothermal synthesis of MCM-48. Based on the N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherm, BET, pore size distribution, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and DTA data, Cr/MCM-48 was found to have high surface area (832 m²/g), uniform pore size distribution (24 Å), mesoporous structures similar to MCM-48 itself, and incorporation of about 3 wt% of Cr component in the mesoporous framework. Cr/MCM-48 was very active for the oxidative destruction of trichloroethylene (TCE), which is a typical chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC); 100% conversion of TCE was achieved at 350°C. Based on the TGA of trichloroethylene/water adsorption study, it was found that MCM-48 had high adsorption capacity (>0.25 g TCE/g catalyst). In addition, the hydrophobicity of the adsorptive properties of Cr/MCM-48 materials could be modified. The high adsorption capacity and catalytic activity of Cr/MCM-48 material make it suitable for adsorption/catalysis bifunctional systems for energy-saving treatment of low concentration of VOC or CVOC.