Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activities of bimetallic modified MCM-41 for epoxidation of styrene

Mesoporous molecular sieves MCM-41 modified by bimetal (Zr and Ti) ions with ordered hexagonal arrangement were prepared by direct synthesis under microwave–hydrothermal conditions at 403 K. FT-IR, N₂ adsorption–desorption, scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, element mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse Reflectance UV–Visible Spectra etc. were used to characterize as-prepared materials. The results showed that Zr and Ti were introduced into MCM-41 and bonds of Zr–O–Si and Ti–O–Si were formed in framework of the MCM-41. Moreover, their structures with ordered arrangement were still retained. The microwave–hydrothermal method might shorten the synthesis time from days to hours and the as-prepared catalyst had a high catalytic activity and selectivity for the liquid-phase epoxidation of styrene.