Abstract

ABSTRACT. Vernonia oil is a naturally epoxidized triglyceride oil extracted from the seed of Vernonia galamensis, a native plant in East Africa. After hydrolysis to vernolic acid (VA) and derivatization, vernolic acid methyl ester (VAME) is synthesized and used to functionalize ordered mesoporous materials (OMM). Al-MCM-41 with Si/Al ratio of 15, pure silica SBA-15 and periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) are employed as supports exploring the different surface properties. Following optimization of the VAME/OMM ratios, selected samples, i.e. those with 13% VAME, were impregnated with AgNO3 in NaBH4 to obtain Ag-nanoparticles. The final AgVAME-OMM potential catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, observing an efficient loading of Ag nanoparticles in pure silica SBA-15 with VAME with 500 m2 specific surface area and 6 nm pore size.
 
 KEY WORDS: Vernolic acid methyl ester, Vernonia oil, Functionalization, Ordered mesoporous materials, Catalysis
 
 Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(3), 689-702. 
 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i3.12

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.