CHARACTERIZATIONS AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITIES INVESTIGATION OF SYNTHESIZED SOLID-BASED HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSTS IN THE ESTERIFICATION

Abstract

Mesoporous materials functionalized with STA(Silicotungstic acid) have been proved to be efficient catalysts for esterificationreactions. In the investigation, impregnation method was applied for the synthesis of STA/MCM-41 catalysts. MCM-41 andSTA(Silicotungstic acid) were used to silica source and active material respectively. The active material was loaded by dryimpregnationmethod after silica source. Molar ratios of catalysts were determined by 1.25, 2.5 and 5% (W/Si). Actually, thismolar ratio values are very low for the impregnation method. But catalysts were successfully synthesized by applyingimpregnation method. And catalytic activities of STA/MCM-41 catalysts were investigated with an ethyl acetate reaction. Onthe other hand, the second reaction of STA/MCM-41(2.5%) catalyst was carried out in the presence of under identicalconditions after the first reaction. Before and after reactions, the physical properties of the catalysts were determined by XRD,DRIFT, BET, SEM and Mapping analysis methods.