Toluene Oxidation using K-OMS 2 Synthesized Via Hydrothermal Process by Central Composite Design

Abstract

Synthesis methods for K-OMS 2 mostly involve calcination process. This study showed a simple method of producing K-OMS 2 via uncalcined route. Sensitivity analysis (CCD) was used to study the effects of hydrothermal time and temperature on toluene oxidation using K-OMS 2 catalysts. Catalytic activity of K-OMS 2 was then related to the oxidation results. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N2 sorption (BET from Brunauer Emmett and Teller). K-OMS 2 was produced even at temperature as low as 75 °C while K-OMS 2 to K-OMS 7 transformation occurred at 150 °C indicated by the change in XRD patterns and morphology of SEM and drastic decrease in BET surface area of the samples. Toluene decomposition was performed by toluene evaporation to the packed bed reactor and GC was used to measure the remaining toluene in the effluent. Main and interaction effects of hydrothermal temperature and time were then investigated. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that hydrothermal temperature and time have significant effects on the catalytic activity of K-OMS 2 at 95% confidence interval.