MCM-48 SUPPORTED CHROMIUM CATALYST FOR TRICHLOROETHYLENE OXIDATION

MCM-48 supported chromium (Cr/MCM-48) catalyst was prepared by introdu ction of chromium chloride during gel-preparation for the hydrothermal synthesis of MCM-48. Based on the N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherm, BET, pore size distribution, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and DTA data, Cr/MCM-48 was found to have high surface area (similar to 832 m(2)/g), uniform p ore size distribution (similar to 24 Angstrom), mesoporous structures similar to MCM-48 itself, and incorporation of about 3 wt% of Cr compo nent in the mesoporous framework. Cr/MCM-48 was very active for the ox idative destruction of trichloroethylene (TCE), which is a typical chl orinated volatile organic compound (CVOC); 100% conversion of TCE was achieved at 350 degrees C. Based on the TGA of trichloroethylene/water adsorption study, it was found that MCM-48 had high adsorption capaci ty (>0.25 g TCE/g catalyst). In addition, the hydrophobicity of the ad sorptive 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. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.