C-doped Cr2O3/NaY composite membrane supported on stainless steel mesh with enhanced photocatalytic activity for cyclohexane oxidation

In this study, a C-doped Cr2O3/NaY composite membrane supported on stainless steel mesh with layer-by-layer structure was successfully synthesized and used in the partial oxidation of cyclohexane. In the composite membrane, NaY zeolite membrane acted as absorbent and the C-doped Cr2O3 behaved as photocatalyst, which was successfully prepared using a chromium-containing MOF as precursor. The supported composite membrane was characterized by a series of analysis techniques. Comparing with the stainless steel mesh-supported C-doped Cr2O3 membrane, the supported C-doped Cr2O3/NaY composite membrane exhibited superior visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance for cyclohexane oxidation. This is due to its layer-by-layer structure and NaY membrane with high surface areas and polarity which can preferentially adsorb KA oil products, avoiding their overoxidation.