The influence of aluminum atoms on the surface and structural properties of distinct mixed oxides MgAl-x (x=Al/(Al+Mg)= 0, 0.20, 0.25, 0.33 and 1.0) was studied. Hammet titration results showed that the isomorphic substitution of Mg by Al atoms induces a basicity character decrease. Theoretical DFT studies of MgAl-x oxides basicity through the oxygen Milliken charges showed a similar trend to that observed experimentally. The effect in the textural properties as a function of the Al content was observed reflected directly in the surface area and pore size distributions. Noteworthy was to observed the morphological modification on the mixed oxides with the Al content, passing from nanorods in pure MgO to hexagonal platelets in the binary oxides. Se estudió la influencia de los átomos de Al sobre las propiedades de diferentes óxidos MgAl-x (x=0, 0.20, 0.25, 0.33 and 1.0). Los resultados de titulación con indicador de Hammet mostraron que la sustitución isomorfa de Mg por Al induce reducción de la basicidad. El estudio teórico por DFT de la basicidad a través de cargas de Mulliken en el átomo de oxígeno mostró una tendencia similar a la observada experimentalmente. El efecto en las propiedades texturales en función del contenido de Al, se observó reflejado directamente en el área superficial y las distribuciones de tamaño de poro. Interesantemente, la modificación con Al en los óxidos binarios cambio la morfología pasando de nanorodillos en MgO puro a platos hexagonales en los óxidos binarios.

Sonochemistry is recently used to improve the zeolitization process and post-synthetic treatments of potential zeolite-based catalysts. This work explores the use of ultrasound to synthesize a faujasite zeolite with a Y-type structure and the reported interconversions associated with FAU. Reviewing the effects of sono-assisted treatments of Y zeolite for the formation of mesopores and modification with alkaline metals, alkaline earth metals, and metals. Based on this specified literature review, preliminary work was conducted, employing ultrasound irradiation to synthesize a selective catalyst for oxidizing benzene to phenol (OBP). The sono-assisted synthesized zeolite Y was sonochemically ion-exchanged and modified in an ammonia buffer solution with dissolved Fe. The catalyst activity for the OBP was measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy and GC/MS, with no significant difference between the techniques, and an enhanced selectivity. This preliminary study highlights the importance of the sonochemical method for potentially designing a catalyst for the benzene-to-phenol reaction.