[Spectroscopic characterization of structure of cerium incorporated MCM-48 mesoporous molecular sieve]

Cerium incorporated MCM-48 molecular sieves have been hydrothermally synthesized using a mixed template and pH adjusting route. The samples were characterized by various physicochemical methods, including X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRF spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption. These results reveal that cerium is incorporated in MCM-48 and it is in the form of well-dispersed tetra-coodinated cerium ion. The proper concentration of cerium and adjusting pH can keep Ce-MCM-48 with higher specific surface area , larger unit-cell parameter, narrower pore-size distribution, and thicker pore wall than those of MCM-48. These deduce higher activity, and better selectivity, thermal stability and hydrothermal stability than those of MCM-48. The concentration of Ce incorporated in MCM-48 affects the vibration of the framewoke Si of molecular sieves.