Energy & Fuels · 2017 · 26 citations · 26 references
Natural SciencesChemical EngineeringChemistryCatalysisInorganic ChemistryReaction EngineeringCatalyst CharacterizationCatalyst DesignCatalytic MaterialsCatalytic Reaction EngineeringIndustrial Catalytic ProcessesSupported CatalystsAcidity CharacterizationCatalyst RecyclingCatalyst SurfacesClay Mineral CatalysisMontmorillonite BehaviorTemperature-programmed DesorptionX-ray Diffraction AnalysisZeolite Catalysts
Various acidic clay catalysts have been explored for the glycerol and tert -butyl alcohol (TBA) reaction. Complete conversion of glycerol could be achieved over a montmorillonite KSF/O (mont-KSF/O) clay catalyst to form a product mixture containing mono-, di-, and tri- tert -butyl glycerol ethers. The different variables, such as the reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst loading, and molar ratio of glycerol/TBA, were investigated in detail. X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH 3 -TPD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements were performed for characterization of the evaluated catalyst. NH 3 -TPD revealed that mont-KSF/O possessed the highest acidity, leading to the highest activity for etherification of glycerol. mont-KSF/O could be successfully recycled several times without losing its activity.
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