Preparation of sulfated alumina supported on mesoporous MCM-41 silica and its application in esterification

New types of mesoporous SA/MCM-41 solid acid catalysts were prepared by loading sulfated alumina (SA) on MCM-41. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, IR, N2 physisorption, elemental analysis, FT-IR of adsorbed pyridine and NH3-TPD. The esterification of acetic acid with n-butanol and citric acid with n-butanol were used as model reactions to test the catalytic activities and reusability of the SA/MCM-41 solid acid catalysts. Compared with SA catalyst, SA/MCM-41 catalysts exhibited higher catalytic performances, which were attributed to their high BET surface area and large pore volume. Moreover, 20SA/MCM-41 solid acid catalyst showed excellent reusability in both esterifications.

► New types of mesoporous solid acid catalysts were prepared by loading SA on MCM-41.
► The catalytic activities and reusability of SA/MCM-41 were superior to that of the SA sample.
► SA content had a great influence on the properties of SA/MCM-41.