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Modified Niobium Oxyhydroxide Catalyst: An Acetalization Reaction to Produce Bio‐additives for Sustainable Use of Waste Glycerol
Author(s) -
Souza Talita E.,
Portilho Marcio F.,
Souza Priscila M. T. G.,
Souza Patterson P.,
Oliveira Luiz C. A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201402322
Subject(s) - catalysis , niobium , bromide , chemistry , oxalate , biodiesel production , glycerol , niobium pentoxide , inorganic chemistry , pulmonary surfactant , organic chemistry , biodiesel , ammonium bromide , biochemistry
We report the synthesis and characterization of new niobium oxyhydroxide catalysts from ammonium niobium oxalate (NH 4 [NbO(C 2 O 4 ) 2 (H 2 O)](H 2 O) n ) or niobium chloride (NbCl 5 ) precursors. The materials have been modified by incorporating a surfactant, specifically cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, on the catalyst surface to impart partial hydrophobicity to the catalyst. The change in the precursor during the synthesis changes properties associated with the morphology, texture and number of acid sites. These properties provide increased contact at the interface between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions to improve the catalytic properties, particularly in biphasic reactions. Acetalization reactions were tested using three different glycerols: commercial glycerol p.a., a crude residual originating from biodiesel production and the same material after desalination. The results show 65 and 60 % conversion for the acetalization under mild reactions conditions.