Sulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica catalyst with different morphology for biodiesel production

doi:10.1007/s11705-021-2133-z

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2022, Vol. 16

Issue (8) : 1198-1210 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-021-2133-z

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Sulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica catalyst with different morphology for biodiesel production

Vinayak Hegde, Parimal Pandit, Pranita Rananaware, Varsha P. Brahmkhatri(

)

Centre for Nano and Material Sciences, Jain University, Jain Global Campus, Bengaluru 562112, India

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Abstract

Sulfonic acid functionalized mesoporous silica based solid acid catalysts with different morphology were designed and fabricated. The synthesized materials were characterized by various physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques like scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, thermogravimetric analysis and n-butylamine acidity. The shape of catalysts particles plays an important role in its activity. The sulfonic acid functionalized mesoporous silica catalysts of spherical shape and the cube shape were assessed for catalytic activity in biodiesel production. The catalytic biodiesel production reaction over the catalysts were studied by esterification of free fatty acid, oleic acid with methanol. The effect of various reaction parameters such as catalyst concentration, acid/alcohol molar ratio, catalyst amount, reaction temperature and reaction time on catalytic activity were investigated to optimize the conditions for maximum conversion. It was sulfonated cubic shape mesoporous silica which exhibited better activity as compared to the spherical shape silica catalysts. Additionally, the catalyst was regenerated and reused up to three cycles without any significant loss in activity. The present catalysts exhibit superior performance in biodiesel production and it can be used for the several biodiesel feedstock’s that are rich in free fatty acids.

Keywords solid acid catalyst mesoporous silica sulfonic acid biodiesel esterification oleic acid

Corresponding Author(s): Varsha P. Brahmkhatri

Online First Date: 01 March 2022 Issue Date: 02 August 2022

Cite this article:

Vinayak Hegde,Parimal Pandit,Pranita Rananaware, et al. Sulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica catalyst with different morphology for biodiesel production[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(8): 1198-1210.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-021-2133-z
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2022/V16/I8/1198

Scheme 1 Synthesis of sulfonic acid functionalized mesoporous silica.

Fig.1 SEM images of (a, b, c) SNP and (d, e, f) CNP.

Fig.2 (a) Elemental mapping of SNP, S–SH and S–SOH; (b) elemental mapping of CNP, C–SH and C–SOH.

Tab.1 Elemental analysis

Fig.3 (a) FTIR spectra of CTAB–SNP, SNP, S–SH and S–SOH; (b) FTIR spectra of CTAB-CNP, CNP, C–SH and C–SOH.

Fig.4 (a, b) N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms of SNP, S–SH and S–SOH; (c, d) N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms of CNP, C–SH and C–SOH.

Tab.2 Textural properties and total acidity of materials

Fig.5 SEM images of (a) SNP, (b) S–SH, (c) S–SOH, (d) CNP, (e) C–SH and (f) C–SOH.

Fig.6 TGA and DTA analysis of (a) SNP, S–SH, S–SOH and (b) CNP, C–SH, C–SOH. The data was normalized for comparison.

Fig.7 (a) Effect of mole ratio acid/alcohol (reaction conditions: amount of catalyst 0.1 g; reaction temperature 60 °C; reaction time 4 h). (b) Effect of amount of catalyst (reaction conditions: mole ratio1:40; reaction temperature 60 °C; reaction time 4 h).

Fig.8 (a) Effect of reaction time (reaction conditions: mole ratio of acid to alcohol 1:40; amount of catalyst 75 mg; reaction temperature 60 °C). (b) Effect of reaction temperature (reaction conditions: mole ratio of acid to alcohol 1:40; amount of catalyst 75 mg; reaction time 8 h).

Fig.9 Esterification of OA with methanol and ethanol in optimized conditions (reaction conditions: mole ratio of acid to alcohol 1:40; amount of catalyst 75 mg; temperature 60 °C; reaction time 8 h).

Fig.10 Catalytic activity and characterization of recycled catalyst: (a) catalytic activity of recycled catalysts; (b) FTIR of fresh and recycled catalyst S–SOH-R3 and C–SOH-R3; (c) SEM images of fresh and recycled catalyst S–SOH-R3 and C–SOH-R3.

Scheme 2 Biodiesel production over sulfonated mesoporous silica (S–SNP, C–SNP).

Tab.3 Production of biodiesel by esterification using different sulfonic acid-functionalized solid acid catalysts

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