The effect of ultrasound in the synthesis of clays used as catalysts in oxidation reactions

The effect of ultrasound in the modification of a Colombian bentonite pillared with mixed solutions of Al–Ce and Al–Ce–Fe was obtained. The solids were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques. The catalysts were very efficient in the phenol oxidation reaction in diluted aqueous medium under mild experimental conditions (298 K and atmospheric pressure) and in the CO oxidation reaction. The use of ultrasound showed a clear effect in the synthesis of this type of solids allowing to make their synthesis in a shorter period of time and conserving the physical–chemical characteristics as well as catalytic activity in the oxidation reactions.