Microstructure and morphology of mechanically sulfated acid catalysts of α-Al2O3

Oliveira Costa, T. K. and Santos, S. B. F. and Silva, C. B. and de Barros Neto, E. L. and Pereira, C. G. and de Freitas, N. L. (2021) Microstructure and morphology of mechanically sulfated acid catalysts of α-Al2O3. Ceramica, 67 (383). pp. 308-315. ISSN 1678-4553 (https://doi.org/10.1590/0366-69132021673833017)

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Abstract

This work reports the evaluation of the microstructure, morphology, and catalytic behavior of α-Al2O3 synthesized via combustion method for esterification reaction of oleic acid in soybean oil with ethanol to produce biodiesel. The reaction was evaluated with 2 wt% of catalyst at 160 °C for 3 h when the molar ratio of fatty acid:ethanol was 1:12. To enhance the catalytic performance of α-Al2O3, its sulfation was done by a different method using mechanical milling. The microcatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourie transform infrared spectroscopy, granulometric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed α-Al2O3 as the major phase, presence of SO42- groups, the contribution of the sulfation process to morphology with reduction of agglomerates, and particle size from 18.98 to 15.30 mm. The yield of ester was enhanced from 80% (α-Al2O3 as a catalyst) to 93% (SO42-/α-Al2O3 as a catalyst), which showed the milling as a fast method for synthesis of a highly efficient acid catalyst to produce biodiesel.

ORCID iDs

Oliveira Costa, T. K., Santos, S. B. F. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5568-6191, Silva, C. B., de Barros Neto, E. L., Pereira, C. G. and de Freitas, N. L.;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)