Characterization Of Catalysts Research Articles

Integrated in situ spectroscopic characterization of bi-functional nanoporous hybrid catalysts

Bi-functional catalysts possess various catalytic sites and can catalyze different types of reactions in a single-pot cascade manner. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of mono- and bifunctional silica-based mesoporous hybrid catalysts involving acid and base active sites. The ability for cooperative catalysis has been investigated using a multi-technique approach involving powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, and multinuclear MAS NMR spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. To elucidate the nature and strength of multifunctional catalytic sites, different types of probe molecules were employed and studied using spectroscopic techniques. The results show that the activity of the mesoporous surface-grafted acid and/or base sites is directly related to the intimacy criterion, the separation between the different types of catalytic sites. The presence or absence of mutual interactions between the different catalytic sites dictates the selectivity and yield of the reactions.

Synthesis and characterization of titanium oxynitride catalyst via direct ammonia nitridation of titanium polyacrylate for oxygen reduction reaction

AbstractA titanium oxynitride catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells was synthesized through the direct ammonia nitridation of titanium complexes. Titanium polyacrylate was employed as the catalyst precursor, and the effect of the calcination temperature between 600 and 1000 °C on the catalyst structure was studied. The catalysts were characterized via X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and powder electrical resistivity measurements. The formation of titanium oxynitride particles and deposited carbon was observed for all the samples; however, significant variations in the catalyst structure and catalytic activity were also observed. With an increase in the calcination temperature, nitridation of titanium oxynitride progressed, and the conductivity of the catalyst powder increased. The highest rest potential and ORR current density were achieved with calcination at 800 °C. Importantly, the results suggest that maintaining an optimal nitrogen doping level within the catalyst particles, along with ensuring the formation of electroconductive deposited carbon, is essential for achieving a high ORR current. This work introduces the direct ammonia nitridation of metal complexes as a promising process for designing metal oxynitride catalysts.

Enhanced catalytic degradation of acetaminophen using magnesium oxide-infused clay with ultrasonic activation of hydrogen peroxide

In this study, clay modified with magnesium oxide (MgO) was used as a catalyst for the degradation of acetaminophen in wastewater, activated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ultrasonic waves. Characterization of the Clay-MgO catalyst was conducted using TGA, XRD, BET, SEM, FTIR, XRF, and EDX, revealing functional groups capable of activating H2O2. The crystalline catalyst, synthesized at 500 °C, had a surface area of 30 m2/g. Optimal conditions for acetaminophen removal, achieving 75 % efficiency, were pH 8, 3 g/L catalyst, 0.2 mL/100 mL H2O2, and 60 min of contact time. In distilled water, mineralization of acetaminophen was 42 %, while actual wastewater showed 18 %. Hydroxyl radicals played a significant role in the degradation process. The catalyst was tested for reuse up to six times and maintained a high efficiency of over 53 % in five stages. Radical scavenger studies confirmed the importance of hydroxyl radicals in the degradation kinetics, which followed pseudo-first-order (R2 > 0.96) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (R2 = 0.95) models. The catalyst also demonstrated efficient acetaminophen removal in complex solutions, including seawater. This MgO-modified clay shows promise as an effective catalyst for the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants through hydrogen peroxide activation, maintaining stability and reusability across multiple cycles.

In-situ generated hydrogen for selective hydrogenolysis of lignin catalyzed by Mg-Al mixed oxides with nested Ni nanoparticles

Conversion of lignin to valuable chemicals without external hydrogen presents a significative but challengeable endeavor. Herein, an efficient approach has been proposed for the lignin hydrogenolysis with in-situ hydrogen in the presence of Ni nanoparticles nested in layered double oxides (LDOs). 84.4 % conversion of lignin was achieved over 30Ni-Mg3Al-LDOs, affording a 21.3 % yield of monomers, and 38.0 % of which was identified as 4-ethylphenol. Catalyst characterizations revealed that this excellent performance of lignin conversion should be ascribed to the highly dispersed Ni nanoparticles, strong interfacial interactions between Ni and LDOs, and suitable basicity of catalysts. Furthermore, the roles of the solvent (1,4-dioxane aqueous solution) and the lignin methoxyl groups as hydrogen resources were distinguished, and the former acted as an initial hydrogen to promote lignin depolymerization, and the latter was responsible for the high yield of 4-ethylphenol. In addition, a plausible reaction pathway for lignin hydrogenolysis has been proposed.

Enhanced catalytic performance of ethyl-levulinate to γ-valerolactone: Effect of copper loading on Ni/KIT-5 catalyst

A facile wet impregnation method was employed to prepare a bimetallic Ni–Cu catalyst on a mesoporous KIT-5 support, keeping the nickel loading constant (5 wt%) while varying the copper wt.% (xCu, where x = 8, 10, 12, 14). Several physico-chemical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD), temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen (H2-TPR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were utilized for catalyst characterization. An environmentally friendly NiCu bimetallic-supported catalyst system was developed in response to many problems, including metal leaching, sintering, and cost. A mesoporous KIT-5 silica support with a large surface area was used. The hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to gamma-valerolactone was studied utilizing a high-pressure stirred reactor and a range of reaction temperatures (120–160 °C), hydrogen pressures (10–30 bar), and reaction periods. Various catalysts were used in the investigation. Among all tested catalysts, the 12Cu–5Ni/KIT-5 one shows excellent activity. The best GVL yield is 84% at a conversion of 100% after 8 h of treatment at 150 °C and 25 bar H2 pressure; the promotion is also 76.1%. Optimization of reaction conditions was shown to correlate the physicochemical parameters of the catalyst with its activity.

Maximizing waste cooking oil biodiesel production employing novel Brotia costula derived catalyst through statistical and machine learning optimization techniques

The limitations of homogeneous catalysts associated with biodiesel production such as non-reusability, emulsification, and saponification have led to the increased cost of biodiesel synthesis. To overcome these limitations, the current work aims to investigate the applicability and effectiveness of green catalyst made from Brotia costula shells (BCS) for waste cooking oil biodiesel production. The catalyst was synthesized by calcinating BCS at 800℃−1000℃ for 4 h. Catalyst characterization showed that BC900 (BCS calcined at 900℃) contained 98.15 CaO wt% and exhibited the smallest grain size of 39.23 nm with the highest specific surface area of 14.28 m2/g and highest catalytic activity. Optimization of biodiesel synthesis was carried out using response surface methodology - Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD), artificial neural network (ANN) coupled with genetic algorithm (GA), and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) coupled with GA. Maximum experimental biodiesel yield of 97.78±0.59 % at optimum conditions of methanol: WCO molar ratio 9.73: 1, reaction time 2.12 h, catalyst dose wt% 7.59 and reaction temperature 69.3°C was obtained with ANFIS-GA optimization model. The prediction accuracy of the ANFIS model (R2 = 0.988) was better than those of the RSM-BBD (R2 = 0.982) and ANN (R2 = 0.955) models. The synthesized catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity up to four cycles of reusability (yield > 88 %). It is environment-friendly, inexpensive, renewable, and performs on par with catalysts synthesized from other mollusk shells. Using this catalyst for biodiesel production will contribute to the biorefinery's ability to explore sustainable raw materials and may lower overall biodiesel cost.

Searching for the optimum Pt loading in bimetallic PtXNi/SBA-15 catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation

AbstractBimetallic PtXNi5/SBA-15 catalysts with 5 wt% Ni and X = 0.1–2.0 wt% Pt were synthesized and characterized. The XPS characterization of bimetallic catalysts showed the presence of oxide Ni2+, Pt2+ and reduced Pt0 species in the calcined catalysts. After the reduction, metallic Ni0 appeared in addition to the above-mentioned species. The proportions of the reduced Ni and Pt increased with increasing Pt content in the catalysts. The presence of metal species of different oxidation states at the Ni–Pt interface was crucial for their catalytic performance in the hydrodeoxygenation of anisole. The Pt0.5Ni5/SBA-15 catalyst was the most active and selective. Graphical abstract

Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization of Ru-Modified Iridium Oxide Catalysts for PEM Electrolysis

Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization of Ru-Modified Iridium Oxide Catalysts for PEM Electrolysis

Progress and challenges in structural, in situ and operando characterization of single-atom catalysts by X-ray based synchrotron radiation techniques.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) represent the ultimate size limit of nanoscale catalysts, combining the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. SACs have isolated single-atom active sites that exhibit high atomic utilization efficiency, unique catalytic activity, and selectivity. Over the past few decades, synchrotron radiation techniques have played a crucial role in studying single-atom catalysis by identifying catalyst structures and enabling the understanding of reaction mechanisms. The profound comprehension of spectroscopic techniques and characteristics pertaining to SACs is important for exploring their catalytic activity origins and devising high-performance and stable SACs for industrial applications. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in X-ray based synchrotron radiation techniques for structural characterization and in situ/operando observation of SACs under reaction conditions. We emphasize the correlation between spectral fine features and structural characteristics of SACs, along with their analytical limitations. The development of IMST with spatial and temporal resolution is also discussed along with their significance in revealing the structural characteristics and reaction mechanisms of SACs. Additionally, this review explores the study of active center states using spectral fine characteristics combined with theoretical simulations, as well as spectroscopic analysis strategies utilizing machine learning methods to address challenges posed by atomic distribution inhomogeneity in SACs while envisaging potential applications integrating artificial intelligence seamlessly with experiments for real-time monitoring of single-atom catalytic processes.

Pd-Co Supported on Anodized Aluminium for VOCs Abatement: Reaction Mechanism, Kinetics and Applicability as Monolithic Catalyst

It has been found out that Pd-Co-based catalyst, supported on anodized aluminum, possesses very high activity in combustion reactions of C1–C6 alkanes and toluene. The catalyst characterization has been made by N2-pysisorption, XRD, SEM, XPS, FTIR, TEM, and EPR methods. In view of the great interest, methane combustion was investigated in detail. It is ascertained that the complete oxidation of methane proceeds by dissociative adsorption on PdO and formation of hydroxyl and methyl groups, the former being highly reactive, and it undergoes further reaction to oxygen-containing intermediates, whereupon HCHO is one of them. The presence of Co2+ cations promotes greatly oxygen adsorption. The dissociative adsorption is favored on neighboring Co2+ cations, leading to the formation of bridging peroxides. Further, the oxygen dissociates on the nearest Pd2+ cations. According to the results from the experimental data, instrumental methods, and the observed kinetics and DFT model calculations, it can be concluded that the reaction pathway over Pd+Co/anodic alumina support (AAS) catalyst proceeds most probably through Mars–van Krevelen. The obtained data on the kinetics were used for simulation of the methane combustion in a full-scale adiabatic reactor.

Synthesis, characterization, and novel reactivity of nano CeO2 catalyst for solvent-free Knoevenagel condensation

We synthesized the nano CeO2 using the sol-gel method and characterized the material using different techniques, including XRD, FT-IR, BET surface area, SEM, and TEM analysis. We tested the catalytic functionalities of nano CeO2 catalyst for Knoevengel condensation of different substituted benzaldehydes with malononitrile, which offered exceptional 95 % conversion and yield. The results support that nano CeO2 material significantly boosted the yield of the desired product compared to the bulk material. The low-angle XRD profile showed that the regenerated nanomaterial fully retained the porous nature and cubic structure of ceria. FT-IR results reveal that the characteristic vibrational IR band is at 720 cm−1, which is attributed to Ce–O–Ce stretching. The BET surface area result indicates that nano-ceria possesses a higher surface area than bulk CeO2 material. The SEM analysis illustrates cube-like morphology and TEM data show the nanorod-like appearance of ceria. The nanocatalyst exhibited stable and sustainable activity during regeneration up to 5 cycles.

Ru nanoparticles on mesostructured carbon for glucose hydrogenation; catalysts synthesis and characterization

Ru-containing hydrogenation catalysts based on functionalized carbon material CMK-3 (Carbon Mesostructured by KAIST) were developed. Mesostructured silicate SBA-15 with enlarged wall channels was used as a template for the carbon replica synthesis. The effect of carbon material functionalization via moist air oxidation and sulfonation on the morphology, physicochemical properties and activity of the catalyst was studied. The dispersion, localization, and electronic state of supported ruthenium were determined depending on the support functionalization method. The initial support structure preservation after Ru deposition was confirmed by a set of physicochemical methods. Metal particles are finely distributed with no agglomerated present, providing a high active site accessibility and ensures a superb catalyst activity. The catalysts were tested in glucose to sorbitol hydrogenation. The results showed that pore morphology and carbon support initial structure preservation account for the catalytic activity of Ru nanoparticles.

High‐Pressure Cell for In Situ Grazing Incidence XAS Characterization of Model Catalysts on Planar Supports

AbstractThe growing interest in physically deposited model catalysts for uncovering complex structure‐activity relationships is spurred by the possibility of depositing nanoparticles of precise atomic structure and composition using cluster‐beam sources. However, the limitations accompanying these synthesis techniques, such as low deposition rates and flat sample geometry, present a challenge for in situ structural characterization using bulk‐sensitive methods, such as X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), especially at elevated pressures (1–100 bar). To overcome this challenge, we constructed an in situ XAS cell operating in a grazing incidence (GI) geometry. The GIXAS cell was used to investigate the structure of cluster‐beam‐generated Pd and Au0.3Ag0.7 nanoparticles under CO2‐to‐methanol hydrogenation conditions (230 °C, 20 bar, CO2:H2=1 : 3). These nanoparticles, with metal loading of 0.96–10 μg cm−2, demonstrated stability and resistance to sintering upon activation in H2 at 120 °C and catalytic conditions, revealed by in situ XAS. The promising results from our work will help bridge the gap in the investigation of model catalytic materials produced by gas‐phase cluster deposition at industrially relevant pressures and temperatures, which is vital for a mechanistic understanding of catalytic processes.

Boosted electrochemical reduction detoxification and oxidation of clofibric acid by polymerized ionic liquid functionalized cathode: Parameter optimization and degradation mechanisms

The application of electrocatalytic degradation technology in the treatment of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) has attracted widespread attention currently. Through structure and properties characterization of catalysts we found that more uniformly distributed metal particles and excellent thermal stability were obtained by modification with poly(1-vinyl-3-butylimidazole hexafluorophosphate) ([(PV)BIM]PF6) on graphene to anchor the metal CoNi nanoparticles (CoNi/PILs-rGO). For assessing its application potential, the CoNi/PILs-rGO cathode in combination with Ti/RuO2/IrO2 anode to set up an experimental reaction system for the electrocatalytic degradation of clofibric acid (CA) simulated wastewater. Reactor settings for experimentation are optimized, and intermediates, alterations in toxicity during degradation, and active species are detected. The results of the single-factor experiment showed that the average removal rate of CA by the cathodic compartment was 97.18 % when the conditions were optimal. Two possible pathways of degradation are deduced from the CA intermediates, one is the C-Cl bond breaking in electrochemical reduction, and the other is that the C-O bond is directly broken by anodic reactive oxygen. Toxicity tests have shown that the anode produces some by-products that are more hazardous than the original chemical, while the cathode produces a dechlorination process that is ultimately more detoxifying.

Hydrogen production from the steam reforming of biogas over Ni-based catalyst: The role of promoters and supports

Biogas steam reforming (BSR) is a sustainable and low-carbon strategy for H2 production. Herein, the conventional Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was modified by distinct promoters (Co, Cu, Fe) and supports (ZrO2, MgO, CeO2) for H2 production from BSR. The effects of modification methods on the catalytic performance were evaluated based on the activity tests and characterizations of catalysts. The introduction of the mono-metal promoter or the mono-metal oxide support was beneficial for the BSR to different degrees. Ni-Co/Al2O3 exhibited higher CH4 conversion ratio (xCH4), and Ni-Fe/Al2O3 showed the least carbon deposition among the catalysts modified by the mono-metal promoter. Both Ni/ZrO2-Al2O3 and Ni/MgO-Al2O3 modified with mono-metal oxide support showed high xCH4 approaching 90 %, with the former leading to less carbon deposition. The coupled modification by metal promoter and metal oxide support did not show a satisfactory performance. The modification by bi-metal oxide support, ZrO2 and MgO, showed the most promising catalytic conversion of CH4 and H2 production among all these modified catalysts, and the maximum values of xCH4 and H2 yield (YH2) reached 90.71 % and 86.06 %, respectively. Ni/MgO-ZrO2-Al2O3 also exhibited excellent stability with a total carbon deposition of 0.042 g·gcata−1 in the 10 h stability test.

Speciation of the Oxide Phase of Molybdenum‐Based HDS Catalysts Enhanced with Organic Additives Using an EXAFS/Raman Coupling Methodology

AbstractThe ability to gain access to the speciation of hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts used for removing sulfur and nitrogen from transportation fuels is becoming a key feature in the understanding and improvement of their catalytic activity with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuels. A novel coupling methodology between Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was developed, which allows for precise qualitative and quantitative analysis of the oxide phase of Mo‐based catalysts. This enabled the detailed study of various impregnation parameters and the characterization of HDS catalysts before sulfidation. To illustrate this methodology, the effects of two additives (triethylene glycol and citric acid) were studied. The results demonstrated that organic additives exert a profound influence on the speciation of oxide precursors of molybdenum‐based catalysts. The presence of these additives enhances the dispersion of Keggin or Dawson heteropolyanions (HPAs) on the support by maintaining a high phosphorus‐to‐molybdenum ratio in solution. This is achieved by two strategies: triethylene glycol (TEG) exhibits a pronounced affinity for alumina hydroxyls, while citric acid compensates for phosphate adsorption through the formation of a stable Mo‐citrate complex.

Construction of a multiple reactive species-mediated Co9S8/NBC-PMS Fenton-like system for tetracycline degradation with broadened adaptability to water background

A Fenton-like system based on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) oxidant has high potential for antibiotic degradation, However, various complex water background factors, including pH, coexisting ions, and dissolved organic matter, can adversely affect degradation efficiency. This work constructed a PMS oxidative Fenton-like system activated by cobalt polysulfide/N-doped biochar composite (Co9S8/NBC) for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) and achieving approximately 99 % removal of TC. Furthermore, the removal efficiency was maintained above 90 % across a broad pH range (3−11), in the presence of various coexisting anions (Cl−, NO3− and CO32−), even at high concentrations of humic acid. The characterization of Co9S8/NBC through various techniques confirmed that Co9S8 nanoparticles were uniformly loaded within the porous NBC structure. Electron paramagnetic resonance and reactive oxygen species (ROSs) quenching experiment revealed that the effectiveness of TC degradation in the Co9S8/NBC/NBC-PMS system arises from the cooperation of radical and non-radical species rather than the single mechanism. Moreover, the analysis of the contribution ratios of ROSs to TC degradation indicates that the contribution of non-free radicals exceeds that of free radicals, and it is capable of adapting to changes in pH. The characterization of the post-reaction catalyst suggested that Co9S8 and NBC synergistically participated in the activation of PMS. Moreover, the practical examination proved that the disabled Co9S8/NBC catalyst can recover the catalytic activity via a reheat treatment, the leaching concentration of Co ions was lower than the emission limit of China. The river water and lake water as the matrix water have little negative impact on the degradation of TC. The Co9S8/NBC-PMS system is expected to provide a practical pathway for the treatment of antibiotic wastewater.

Experimental and ANN modeling of kerosene fuel desulfurization using a manganese oxide-tin oxide catalyst

This research pioneered the use of a nanocatalyst composed of manganese oxide (MnO2) and stannic oxide (SnO2) to effectively remove dibenzothiophene (DBT) from kerosene fuel through the catalytic oxidative desulfurization (ODS) process, using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidant. Impregnating SnO2 with varying amounts of MnO2 was used to manufacture the catalyst. The oxidation experiment ran in a batch reactor with varying reaction times and temperatures to determine optimal conditions. High MnO2 dispersion over SnO2 was shown by catalyst characterization data. Under optimal operating parameters (catalyst type: 5 % MnO2/SnO2, reaction temperature: 75 °C, and reaction duration: 100 min), the results demonstrated a maximum DBT removal efficiency of 82.84 % from kerosene fuel. This research also provides the construction of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to simulate the upgrading of kerosene fuel via desulfurization process. There has been a growing trend toward the diversified use of ANN to represent steady state systems in chemical engineering. MATLAB's code was employed for matching the experimental data to the artificial neural network (ANN) model. The resulted data showed significant agreement between the experimental and predicted outcomes, with regression coefficients (R2) of 0.99902, 0.99986, and 0.99961 and mean square errors (MSE) of 0.266, 0.272, and 0.104 for 0 % MnO2/SnO2, 1 % MnO2/SnO2, and 5 % MnO2/SnO2 respectively. This interactive model provided a solid foundation for understanding the novel behavior of the oxidation process.

Integrating environmental remediation with biodiesel production from toxic non-edible oil seeds (Croton bonplandianus) using a sustainable phyto-nano catalyst

In the current situation of the environmental uprising toxicology, rising global temperature, and energy-depleting urges to explore and discover more renewable and greener ecological-benefiting energy resources. Biobased renewable fuels generated by using waste products can help in waste management, climate change mitigation, and a low-carbon future. The main objective of this research is to produce environment-friendly and cost-effective biofuel. The potentiality of the novel, toxic, waste, and inedible feedstock Croton bonplandianus was evaluated for biodiesel synthesis through transesterification utilizing a Phyto-nano catalyst of potassium oxide prepared by Croton bonplandianus floral stalk's aqueous extract focusing on waste management. Phyto-nano catalyst characterization was done through innovative tools such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Zeta Potential (ZP), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS). The characterization results revealed that the potassium oxide phyto-nanocatalyst possesses an average nanoparticle size of 44.5 nm. This size is optimal for enhanced catalytic activity, indicating significant potential for efficient catalysis. The highest yield (94 %) of biodiesel was secured at optimized reaction conditions of catalyst quantity (0.50 wt%), reaction time (180 min), methanol: oil ratio (9:1), and reaction thermal point (70 °C). Transformation of triglycerides to methyl esters was confirmed by GC/MS, NMR, and FTIR techniques. A total of 21 methyl esters were observed in Croton bonplandianus biodiesel confirmed via GC/MS results. Evaluation of fuel properties was done and matched with international fuel standards. The conclusive remarks for the conducted research are that Croton bonplandianus has a high potential for biodiesel production by applying Phyto-nanocatalysts of potassium oxide while dealing with hazardous environmental conditions and waste management. Phyto nanocatalyst of potassium oxide can be reused and gives the same yield after several cycles of reusability, this reusability of heterogenous Phyto nanocatalyst can reduce to total cost of biodiesel production and can contribute towards circular economy.

Reduction of Trinitrobenzene to Amines with Molecular Hydrogen over Chrysocolla-like Catalysts

The cheap non-noble Cu–SiO2-based nanocatalysts are under intensive study in different reactions resulting in useful chemicals, yet their application in environment protection is poorly studied. In the present work, the influence of the Cu loading (3–15 wt%) on the catalytic behavior of Cu/SiO2 materials was first precisely studied in the hydrogenation of hazardous trinitrobenzene to valuable aromatic amines with molecular hydrogen. The catalysts have been synthesized by the method of deposition–precipitation using urea. The catalyst characterization by XRD, TPR-H2, SEM, TEM, and N2 adsorption methods confirmed that they include nanoparticles of the micro-mesoporous chrysocolla-like phase supported in the mesopores of a commercial SiO2 carrier, as well as revealed formation of the highly dispersed CuO phase in the sample with the highest Cu loading. Variation in reaction conditions showed the optimal ones (170 °C, 1.3 MPa H2) resulting in complete trinitrobenzene conversion with a triaminobenzene yield of 65% for the catalyst with a 15% Cu loading, and the best yield of 82% was obtained over the catalyst with 10% Cu calcined at 600 °C. The results show the potential of Cu phyllosilicate-based catalysts for the utilization of trinitroaromatic compounds via catalytic hydrogenation to amines and their possible applications in a remediation treatment system.