Highly ordered hexagonal (p6mm) mesoporous silica SBA-15 was synthesized through a hydrothermal treatment under acidic conditions. Fe2O3/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared by impregnation of SBA-15 media with iron(III) acetylacetonate, iron(III) chloride or iron(II) sulfate solutions. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and nitrogen physisorption characterization were carried out for SBA-15 and Fe2O3/SBA-15 materials. After impregnation and calcination at 823 K, the iron oxide dispersion in SBA-15 was analyzed by STEM and EDX. FeCl3 provides the highest amount of Fe loading in mesoporous SBA-15. The photocatalytic properties of Fe2O3/SBA-15 samples at pH = 3 and pH = 6 were evaluated in catechol and hydroquinone photodecomposition by inducing visible radiation. The conversion of catechol and hydroquinone, at pH = 3 and pH = 6 with iron(III) acetylacetonate and FeCl3 as the precursor of iron oxide nanoparticles, were measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis.

Keywords: SBA-15, Nanoparticles of iron oxide, Photocatalysis, Catechol.