Visible light induced photocatalytic activity for degradation of acetaldehyde using transition metal incorporated Al-MCM-41 (aluminum doped silica zeolitic material)

Transition metal aluminosilicates (M-Al-MCM-41) with high surface area were analyzed for photocatalytic degradation of acetaldehyde in the gas phase. The photoactivity of the catalyst under visible light irradiation is independent of the loading level of Co ions in the Co-Al-MCM-41 framework. The physical state of the transition metal oxide was characterized by XRD, IR, and diffuse reflectance studies. A high surface area with average pore diameter of 2.5 nm was obtained from BET adsorption studies. Maximal photoactivity was achieved even at low loading levels of the transition metal ion. These catalysts also exhibit good activity for degradation of acetaldehyde in the gas phase under UV light illumination.