Controlled reduction of LaFe xMn yMo zO3/Al2O3 composites to produce highly dispersed and stable Fe0 catalysts: a Mössbauer investigation

In this work, controlled reduction of perovskites supported on Al2O3 was used to prepare thermally stable nanodispersed iron catalysts based on Fe0/La2O3/Al2O3. The perovskites composites LaFe0.90Mn0.08Mo0.02O3(25, 33 and 50 wt (%)) /Al2O3 and LaFe0.90Mn0.1O3(25 wt (%)) /Al2O3 were prepared and characterized by XRD, BET, TPR, SEM and Mössbauer spectroscopy. XRD for unsupported perovskite showed the formation of a single phase perovskite structure. The Mössbauer spectra of the perovskites were fitted with hyperfine field distribution model for the perovskite. Supported perovskites on Al2O3 showed a decrease of the hyperfine field in respect to unsupported perovskite, due to decrease of particle size and dispersion of the Fe3+ specimens on the support. Also showed broaden lines and relaxation effects due to the small particle size. To produce the Fe0 catalyst, the composite perovskite(25%)/Al2O3 was reduced with H2 at 900, 1000 and 1100 °C for 1 hour. XRD data indicated the formation of Fe0 catalyst with particles sizes of ca. 35 nm. The Mössbauer spectrum showed the formation of metallic iron and doublets corresponding to species of octahedric Fe2+ and Fe3+ sites dispersed on Al2O3. These catalysts showed improved stability towards sintering even upon treatment at 1000 and 1100 °C under H2

Investigation of reaction mechanisms by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: characterization of intermediates in the degradation of phenol by a novel iron/magnetite/hydrogen peroxide heterogeneous oxidation system

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) were used to monitor the oxidation of phenol by a novel heterogeneous Fenton system based on a Fe-0/Fe3O4 composite and H2O2. On-line ESI-MS(/MS) shows that this heterogeneous system promotes prompt oxidation of phenol to hydroquinone, which is subsequently oxidized to quinone, other cyclic poly-hydroxylated intermediates and an acyclic carboxylic acid. A peroxide-type intermediate, probably formed via an electrophilic attack of HOO. on the phenol ring, was also intercepted and characterized. ESI-MS(/MS) monitoring of the oxidation of two other model aromatic compounds, benzene and chlorobenzene, indicates the participation of analogous intermediates. These results suggest that oxidation by the heterogeneous system is promoted by highly reactive HO. and HOO. radicals generated from H2O2 on the surface of the Fe-0/Fe3O4 composite via a classical Fenton-like mechanism. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.20121859186