Tailoring the catalytic efficiency of MIL-53(Al) through integration of bi-metallic node and sulfonation for enhanced esterification and biodiesel production
摘要
MIL-53(Al), a series of bimetallic MIL-53(Al, Cux) and a dual modified MIL-53(Al, Cu0.1) – SO3H catalysts were synthesized to investigate the synergistic effects of mixed-metal node incorporation and sulfonation on the catalytic activity for biodiesel production and esterification reactions. The catalysts were characterized by several techniques, and a correlation was established between Cu/Al molar ratio in the MIL-53(Al, Cux) catalysts and the structural, surface and acidic properties leading to optimized metal ratio. The microporosity and crystalline structure of MIL-53(Al) were unaffected by the Cu2+ incorporation, while a significant enhancement of the BET surface area and pore volume of MIL-53(Al, Cu0.1) was observed. Potentiometric titration proved the enhanced acidity of bimetallic MIL-53(Al, Cux) compared to pristine MIL-53(Al), while a substantial further enhancement observed following sulfonation. The catalytic activity of MIL-53(Al, Cu0.1) – SO3H catalyst reached 94.3% and 97.5% for biodiesel production and esterification reactions, respectively, highlighting its potential as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst. Both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites provided cooperative functions in the proposed catalytic mechanism.