Photoassisted degradation of 4-chlorophenol and p -cresol using MgAl hydrotalcites

Angeles Mantilla, Gabriela Jácome-Acatitla, Getsemaní Morales-Mendoza, Francisco Tzompantzi, Ricardo Gómez

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52 Scopus citations

Abstract

MgAl hydrotalcites, or layered double hydroxides (LDHs), with different Mg/Al molar ratios were synthesized by the coprecipitation method. The structure of the solids was collapsed by thermal treatment at 723 K obtaining MgAl mixed oxides with high specific surface areas (264-318 m2/g). When these oxides were put in contact with aqueous solutions containing 4-chlorophenol and para-cresol (80 ppm:0.62 and 0.73 mmol, respectively) the layered structure was recovered by rehydration of the material showing the named "memory effect" of LDH materials. Mg/Al LDHs were active for chlorophenol and p-cresol degradation under UV irradiation, being more active and selective to the mineralization of the pollutants than TiO2 P-25 photocatalysts. Since Mg/Al hydrotalcites are not semiconductors their high photoassisted activity was surprising; this activity was explained by a photo excitation which produces mobility of charges in the lamellar structure, inducing the formation of photoactive defects.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2762-2767
Number of pages6
JournalIndustrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume50
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Mar 2011
Externally publishedYes

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