Transesterification of tributyrin with methanol over MgAl mixed oxides derived from MgAl hydrotalcites synthesized in the presence of glucose

A series of MgAl hydrotalcites (HTs) was synthesized in the presence of glucose and used as the precursors for the preparation of MgAl mixed oxides. The as-synthesized MgAl HTs and their corresponding MgAl mixed oxides were characterized by XRD, TG, SEM, N2-adsorption/desorption, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, ICP and CO2 TPD. The results show that MgAl mixed oxides derived from MgAl HTs prepared in the different synthesis systems have different textural characteristics, basic properties, and catalytic performances. The glucose in MgAl HT synthesis system was transformed into amorphous carbon during the process of MgAl HT crystallization, and the in-situ formed highly dispersed carbon in the as-synthesized MgAl HT matrices can act as a mesoporous template. MgAl mixed oxides derived from MgAl HTs prepared in the presence of glucose have higher surface areas, more uniform mesoporous pores, stronger basic sites as well as higher activities in transesterification of tributyrin with methanol than that from MgAl HT prepared in the absence of glucose.

► A series of hydrotalcites (HTs-x) were synthesized in the presence of glucose.
► The calcined HTs-x showed stronger basic sites than calcined HTs.
► The calcined HTs-x showed uniform mesoporous.
► The calcined HTs-x exhibited high catalytic activity in transesterification.