Abstract
Sulfated zirconia supported on SBA-15 (SZSBA-15) catalysts with different zirconia loadings (5–20 wt%) were synthesized using urea hydrolysis method. Effects on the physicochemical properties of the catalysts and activity in selective glycerol esterification with palmitic acid were particularly investigated. Various characterization techniques such as N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, SEM, TEM, TGA, FTIR, NH3-TPD and acidity measurement by titration were used. Increasing zirconia loading decreased the surface area, pore size and pore volume of the catalysts, but increased the sulfate content and improved the catalyst acidity. Larger surface area was not the major factor in determining the catalyst activity especially in the reaction involving bulky molecules. The reaction was found to be influenced by the amount of active sites presence on the catalyst and also by the dimension of the pores which slightly promoted the shape selective reaction. Among all catalyst, 15SZSBA-15 demonstrated the highest activity with 88% conversion and 44% monopalmitin yield.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
