Vermiculite-based catalysts for oxidation of organic pollutants in water and wastewater

In presented work natural expanded vermiculite was used as a starting material for synthesis of Fe-doped cataly sts. Material was modified with increasing amount of Fe by ion-exchange and precipitation of iron oxide. Composite materials were characterized with respect to their stru cture (X-ray diffraction, Infrared spectra using Diffuse Reflectance), agglomeratio n state of Fe (Ultraviolet-Visible spectra using Diffuse Reflectance) and chemical composition. Activity in H 2 O 2 decomposition as well as in phenol oxidation was studied in liquid phase at atmosphe ric pressure and temperature up to 70 °C. It was shown that doping with Fe increases ca talytic activity. However, excess of iron result ed in formation of undesired side-products