VAPOR-PHASE DEEP OXIDATION OF CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS CATALYZED BY PILLARED BENTONITES

A natural sodium bentonite was pillared with aluminum, aluminum-iron, aluminum-ruthenium and aluminum-chromium polyoxocations. The clays wer e characterized by X-ray diffraction, ESCA and nitrogen adsorption. Al l the clays resulted to varying degrees in active catalyst for the dee p oxidation of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons (CVOCs) in the 300-40 0 degrees C temperature range. The chromium pillared clay was by far t he most active and stable catalyst, with more than 99% hydrocarbon con version at 300 degrees C. The catalytic activity trend is discussed as a function of the Bronsted acidity and of the oxidizing power of the metallic couple.