Bimetallic V and Ti incorporated MCM-41 molecular sieves and their catalytic properties

A series of bimetallic mesostructured V–Ti–MCM-41 molecular sieves with high surface area and narrow pore-size distribution were obtained by a hydrothermal crystallization method. The obtained products were characterized by a series of techniques including X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Characterization results showed that the V–Ti–MCM-41 samples remain in a relatively ordered hexagonal structure. V and Ti atoms were incorporated into the silicon framework. The highest phenol selectivity of 94.7% and benzene conversion of 22.3% are obtained over the 3V–5Ti–MCM-41 sample using H2O2 as an oxidant. In addition, the catalytic performance did not decrease after being recycled four times.