The present study reports the photo-Fenton degradation of phenolic compounds (phenol, 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol and 4-chloro-2-nitrophenol) in aqueous solution using mesoporous Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 nanocomposite as a heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like catalyst. The in situ incorporation of mesoporous Al(2)O(3) (MA) into the framework of MCM-41 (sol-gel method) forms Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 and wetness impregnation of Cu(II) on Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 generates mesoporous Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 composite. The effects of pH and H(2)O(2) concentration on degradation of phenol, 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol and 4-chloro-2-nitrophenol are studied. Kinetics analysis shows that the photocatalytic degradation reaction follows a first-order rate equation. Mesoporous 5 Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 is found to be an efficient photo-Fenton-like catalyst for the degradation of phenolic compounds. It shows nearly 100% degradation in 45 min at pH 4. The combined effect of small particle size, stabilization of Cu(2+) on the support Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41, ease reducibility of Cu(2+) and visible light activeness are the key factors for quick degradation of phenolic compounds by Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41.

In recent years, metal/metal oxide functionalized mesoporous materials have received increasing attention in science and technology due to their fascinating properties, such as a large surface area, mesoscopic bulky shape, and interconnected porous structures enabling them to be one of the most promising materials for catalysis and photo catalysis. This review summarizes the recent developments in design, preparation and applications of transition metal/metal oxide promoted MCM-41 for production of hydrogen energy and removal of aqueous pollutants. After a brief introduction of these materials and synthetic strategies, their characterizations and applications in aqueous pollutant degradation by photocatalysis/photo-Fenton processes and H 2 energy production by photocatalytic water splitting are summarized. Finally, the future perspectives directions for this promising field are also discussed. under the guidance of Dr K. M.

h i g h l i g h t sMesoporous ZrO 2 -MCM-41synthesized by in situ incorporation process. CuO@ZM-41 synthesized by modification of CuO onto the ZrO 2 -MCM-41. CuO@ZM-41nacomposite shows semiconductor behavior and mesoporosity. High surface area, lower e À and h + recombination are enhancing the photo-reduction. g r a p h i c a l a b s t r a c tMesoporous nanocomposite (CuO@ZM-41) is synthesized by incorporating mesoporous ZrO 2 (Z) into MCM-41 (M-41) framework followed by loading of CuO by wetness impregnation method. The synergism between CuO and the support material mesoporous ZM-41 and efficient light absorption on the surface of the composite is the key factor for the reduction Cr 6+ to Cr 3+ within 30 min time. a b s t r a c tMesoporous nanocomposites of CuO/ZrO 2 -MCM-41 (CuO@ZM-41) was designed by incorporating mesoporous ZrO 2 (Z) into the high surface area MCM-41 (M-41) framework followed by loading CuO by wetness impregnation method keeping Si/Zr ratio 10. The nanocomposites were studied under PXRD, N 2 sorption, DRS spectra, FTIR, XPS, NMR, HRTEM and PL to evaluate structural, morphological, optical properties and also the mesoporosity nature of the samples. The photo-reduction of Cr 6+ was performed over CuO@ZM-41 by varying pH, substrate concentration, and irradiation time and catalyst dose. Among all the catalysts, 2 CuO@ZM-41 was found to be efficient photocatalyst for the photo-reduction of Cr 6+ . Nearly 100% reduction of Cr 6+ has been achieved by 2 CuO@ZM-41 within 30 min. Intra-particle mesoporosity, high surface area, presence of CuO nanorods and electron transfer properties are the key factors for enhancing the photo-reduction activity of 2CuO@ZM-41.

No abstract