Synthesis of zeolite Y promoted by Fenton's reagent and its application in photo-Fenton-like oxidation of phenol

Abstract

Zeolite Y was synthesized by hydrothermal method with adding Fenton's reagent. The materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and the crystallization kinetics was investigated. The results showed that hydroxyl free radical (∙OH) produced by Fenton's reagent accelerated both the nucleation process and the crystal growth process of zeolite Y. The apparent nucleation activation energy (En) and apparent growth activation energy (Eg) with Fenton's reagent were 67.98 and 42.66 kJ/mol, respectively. Compared with traditional synthesis of zeolite Y, the synthesis adding moderate Fenton's reagent presented shorter induction period, faster nucleation and growth rate, and lower apparent activation energy. In addition, iron was incorporated into the zeolite at the same time and the material showed high catalytic performance for photo-Fenton-like oxidation of phenol.