Poly(styrene sulfonic acid)–grafted carbon nanotube as a stable protonic acid catalyst

Poly(styrene sulfonic acid)–grafted carbon nanotube was prepared and used as a solid acid catalyst in the alkylation of hydroquinone with tert-butanol. The material exhibits high activity as well as good stability as compared with other carbon-based solid acids. 73.3% of conversion and 53.7% of 2-TBHQ yield can be reached at 150 °C.

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► Poly(styrene sulfonic acid)–grafted carbon nanotube was prepared by in-situ radical polymerization.
► The grafted carbon nanotube is a good catalyst for alkylation of hydroquinone.
► The stability of the catalyst is better than that of conventional sulfonated carbon-based solid acid.
► The deactivated catalyst can be regenerated when treated in diluted sulfuric acid at 60 °C.