Synthesis and catalytic properties of La or Ce doped hydroxy-FeAl intercalated montmorillonite used as heterogeneous photo Fenton catalysts under sunlight irradiation

Abstract

A series of La and Ce doped hydroxyl FeAl intercalated montmorillonite (FeAl-Mt) were prepared by a co-intercalation method for catalytic oxidation of Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) by a heterogeneous photo Fenton process under natural sunlight irradiation. The physicochemical properties of the obtained catalysts were deciphered by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results showed that Ce or La doped FeAl Keggin polyoxocations were intercalated into the gallery of montmorillonite and the physicochemical properties of intercalated FeAl Keggin polyoxocations were mildly changed after Ce or La doping, resulting in defects and lattice vacancies. The doping of Ce or La could effectively improve the catalytic performance of FeAl-Mt measured by heterogeneous photo Fenton degradation of RB19 catalyzed by the obtained products. The synergistic effect between the doped element and FeAl intercalated montmorillonite played a crucial role in the enhancement of heterogeneous catalytic activity under natural sunlight irradiation.