In recent years, iron-based catalysts have attracted special interest among researchers owing to its benign nature, abundant presence in the natural environment, and strong catalytic activity for oxygenation reactions. Extensive studies have been conducted to understand reactions catalyzed by single-phase iron oxides; however, the reactivity of surface-anchored iron species on separate mineral phases has received limited attention. In particular, alumina and silica mineral surfaces incorporated with iron are a significant presence in natural and engineered aquatic systems. In this study, we evaluated the surface chemistry and the oxygenation reactivity of iron-enriched silica and alumina surfaces towards two water contaminants, arsenite (As(III)) and phenol. Effects of iron loading and surface dispersion, nature of substrates, solution chemistry, and the presence of common water constituents on the catalyst reactivity were assessed. The results suggest a potential of applying iron-enriched mineral phases as a class of benign and sustainable catalysts for water decontamination applications.

Iron-enriched mineral oxides: A class of sustainable oxygenation catalysts for water decontamination

246th National Meeting (2013)

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