One-pot synthesis of highly active Fe-containing MWW zeolite catalyst: Elucidation of Fe species and its impact on catalytic performance

Fe-containing MWW zeolite catalysts in the absence (Fe-MWW) or presence of Al atoms (Fe,Al-MWW) were directly prepared by the hydrothermal synthesis approach. The nature of Fe species was systematically analyzed by UV-vis, in-situ NO adsorption FTIR spectroscopy, and H-2-TPR technology. The presence of Al atoms in the synthesis gel seriously affected the chemical composition, textural properties, and the states of Fe species, hence made the catalytic activity in hydroxylation of benzene with H2O2 worse than the one without Al. Moreover, we found that the states of Fe species could be adjusted by changing the calcination temperature. The catalytic activity of Fe-MWW was improved by increasing the calcination temperature, while that of Fe,Al-MWW was weakened due to the degeneration of texture properties and the transformation of Fe species. Fe-MWW zeolite calcined at 750 degrees C exhibited the highest 8.3% yield and 94% selectivity to phenol in direct hydroxylation of benzene with H2O2. (C) 2021 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Fe-containing MWW zeolite catalysts with or without Al atoms were prepared and analyzed in this study. The presence of Al atoms affected catalytic activity, while adjusting calcination temperature improved the state of Fe species. Fe-MWW calcined at 750 degrees C showed the best catalytic performance in direct hydroxylation of benzene.