Preparation of Sulfated Zirconia Catalyst Loaded by Copper in Nano-scale Green Application to Synthesis of Biolubricant

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Processes Development, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Process Development, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

4 Process Development, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

This study investigates the activity of copper-doped catalysts supported on sulfated zirconia (SZ) for the esterification of Free Fatty Acid (FFA). Three catalysts SZ, Cu/SZ (sol) and Cu/SZ (imp) were prepared. The loaded catalysts contain 10% Cu supported on sulfated zirconia (Cu/SZ) were prepared by wet impregnation and sol-gel methods. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, NH3 Temperature Programmed Desorption, N2 adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and imaged by scanning electron microscopy. The XRD analysis showed that, the loading of Cu in the zirconia structure has stabilized the tetragonal zirconia phase, which is the most active phase. Also, the formation of (CuO-ZrO) composite has been proved. The TPD illustrated that the incorporation of Cu ions in the lattice of zirconia via sol-gel technique has lowered the acidity of the catalyst much more than impregnation technique. As a green application, different concentrations of the prepared catalysts were used for preparation of biolubricants by direct esterification of FFAs. The Cu/SZ/ (sol) catalyst has the highest activity. The percentage yields of synthesized biolubricants reached 99.8% when 0.3 % from the selected catalyst was utilized. Pour point, Flash point, Viscosity index, Apparent Viscosity and Percentage yield values of synthetic ester oils were evaluated.

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History

  • Receive Date: 08 March 2018
  • Revise Date: 21 April 2018
  • Accept Date: 02 May 2018

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