Abstract
Locally available Bentonite clay is structurally augmented by acid activation to enhance the catalytic properties. Bentonite sample post beneficiation was treated with sulfuric acid followed by calcination. The structural augmentation of the acid-treated bentonite was examined by characterization techniques comprising of XRF, FTIR, XRD, DTA, SEM and BET. Detailed characterization revealed substantial removal of metal oxides along with structural water causing significant structural disorderliness resulting in amorphous structure. Disaggregation and reduction in magnitude of the clay structure resulted in a highly porous structure with improved silica-alumina ratio (4.08) combined with increased pore volume (0.113 cm3/g) and surface area (305.56 m2/g). The bentonite clay after acid activation was used as a catalyst for diester preparation using succinic acid and ethanol. The conversion of succinic acid was 62% with high yield (73%) of valuable diester demonstrating high activity and selectivity. It was confirmed that acid treatment is an economical (∼ $400/t) and effective way of preparing environmentally benign porous activated clay having high surface area, pore volume and mesoporosity that can be applied as catalyst, adsorbent, catalyst support and high grade, low cost base material for zeolite synthesis.
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.
