Synthesis of magnetic Pb/Fe3O4/SiO2 and its catalytic activity for propylene carbonate synthesis via urea and 1,2-propylene glycol

Abstract

To facilitate the recovery of Pb/SiO2 catalyst, magnetic Pb/Fe3O4/SiO2 samples were prepared separately by emulsification, sol-gel and incipient impregnation methods. The catalyst samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction and N2 adsorption-desorption, and their catalytic activity was investigated in the reaction for synthesizing propylene carbonate from urea and 1,2-propylene glycol. When the gelatin was applied in the preparation of Fe3O4 at 60°C and the pH value was controlled at 4 in the preparation of Fe3O4/SiO2, the Pb/Fe3O4/SiO2 sample shows good catalytic activity and magnetism. Under the reaction conditions of a reaction temperature of 180°C, reaction time of 2 h, catalyst percentage of 1.7 wt-% and a molar ratio of urea to PG of 1:4, the yield of propylene carbonate attained was 87.7%.