Preparation, Characterization and Environmental Applications of Mesoporous Solid Nanocatalysts

Abstract

The aim of the current thesis is to develop the current catalytic processes and introduce new untraditional catalytic techniques to overcome the environmental pollution. New catalysts were designed and prepared to activate different reactions in the environmental applications such as air purification, water treatment, and green conventional organic reactions. This target has been achieved by using open structure-sponge-like mesoporous silica called TUD-1 as a support to accommodate solo-active sites such as europium, neodymium, noble metals, or sodium. The thesis consists of eight chapters; Introduction, literature survey and four applications’ chapters beside final conclusions and recommendations. In chapter 3, Eu-TUD-1 samples were prepared and characterized and the photoluminance property was investigated. In chapter 4, the Eu-TUD-1 was coupled with two semiconductors and the photocatalytic activity for the prepared composites was evaluated in dye decolorization in aqueous solution. In chapter 5, the adsorption capacity silica towards a chosen cationic dye was increased 20 times after neodymium incorporation. In chapter 6, four Noble metals were incorporated in TUD-1 and the nanoparticles of gold could oxidize the poisonous CO gas to the less harmful CO2 at room temperature. Finally, sodium incorporated TUD-1 performed as an active basic catalyst for Biginelli’s reaction. Based on the obtained results, TUD-1 exhibited superior performance as a support in different catalytic applications. The importance of TUD-1 structure to recommitted as super open structure support.