Multifunctional catalysts for advanced oxidative processes employing clay matrices

• Grant number: 17/23479-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2018
• End date: October 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Katia Jorge Ciuffi Pires
• Grantee: Letícia Barbosa de Melo
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Emerging organic pollutants (POE) are present in several commercial products and have been detected in different aquatic environments in different parts of the world. Nanocomposites clays / TiO2 present potential to face problems related to pollution caused by POE. However, some parameters must be controlled such as: the lack of selectivity generated in reactions, especially by photocatalysis, where free radicals (responsible for oxidation) act in a non-selective way, the chemical affinity between support and active site and the generation of hydroxyl radicals with efficiency. Therefore, the development of catalysts based on this semiconductor, with potential catalytic selectivity is of great importance. Another relevant parameter for the photocatalytic reactions is the range of absorption required for the excitation of the semiconductor, so the use of transition metals such as iron ions can contribute to the absorption of radiation in the visible region and increase the efficiency in the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Among the different existing substrates, natural clays functionalized or pillarized with titanium dioxide can become excellent materials for this purpose, for allying advantages of both as abundance, low cost, inertia and non-toxicity, as the titanium as strong photo oxidation power and high stability against corrosion (photo and chemistry). Our research group has been dedicated to the development of multifunctional catalysts by economically viable processes and as close as possible to the principles of green chemistry, with feasibility of application not only academic but also industrial, within this principle the main objective of this project, which will include the a collaboration of researchers from the University of Salamanca, Spain, is to synthesize and characterize solid multifunctional materials, the titanium base with technological and environmental properties from environmentally available matrices such as natural clays, kaolinites (from Brazil or Spain). Therefore, it is initially intended to functionalize clays with organic functional groups employing the sol-gel process. Additionally the iron ions will be incorporated into these matrices, with the objective of promoting the multifunctionality of the catalyst, since the same catalyst can be used in different reactions. The prepared materials will be employed directly in the treatment of the emerging organic pollutant, ibuprofen, and in the oxidation of cyclohexane and ketone (Baeyer Villiger reaction). (AU)