Nanoparticles of Uranium Oxides in Mesoporous MCM-41 and MCM-48 Host Materials: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity Studies

摘要

The large pore openings of materials such as MCM-41 and MCM-48 enable the occlusion and immobilization of large molecular systems in their ordered channels. These functionalized systems find novel applications such as in development of selective catalysts, removal of heavy metals from toxic wastes, heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts and in stabilization of polymer composites. In tune with these recent developments, we have accomplished in our laboratories the anchoring of oxides and other complexes of uranium in the channels of MCM-41 and MCM-48 molecular sieves. The objective was to explore this process for nuclear waste management or alternatively for utilizing the depleted uranium in developing a selective oxidation catalyst. We envisage that due to multiple valence states and also because of better thermal and chemical stability, the oxides of uranium may have an edge over transition metal oxides to serve as catalysts.