Catalytic wet oxidation of reactive dyes with H2O2 over mixed (Al−Cu) pillared clays

Abstract

Al−Cu pillared clays were prepared by direct introduction of Al−Cu pillaring solution into the dilute bentonite suspension. Al−Cu pillared clays had d 001 spacing of about 18 and had surface area of about 140m 2 /g or higher. Al−Cu pillared clays showed excellent activity toward the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of reactive dyes. Complete removal of reactive dyes could be achieved within 20min at atmospheric pressure and 80°C which are extremely milder operation condition when compared with the conventional catalytic wet oxidation process. The pillared clays were also stable against the leaching out of Cu.