Fe2O3 macroporous resin nanocomposites: Some novel highly efficient catalysts for hydroxylation of phenol with H2O2

A series of iron-oxide nanoparticles were prepared inside the pores of macr oporous resins by in situ forced hydrolysis of Fe3+ ions chemisorbed at the pore walls. The resulting composites were identified with transmission ele ctron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible and near IR spectroscopy and surface pho tovoltage spectroscopy (SPS). The phase of the resulting iron-oxide panicle s embedded in resin was beta-FeOOH. The particles ranged from 2 to 5 nm in size and were spherical in shape. These composites were used in catalysis f or hydroxylation of phenol with H2O2. They showed very high hydroxylation a ctivity due to nanosized beta-FeOOH particles inside resins with very littl e aggregation and also showed easy physical separation due to the polymer m atrix. In addition, the acidic environment around the beta-FeOOH particles accelerated their hydroxylation activity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.