| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1332924 | Journal of Solid State Chemistry | 2011 | 8 Pages |
Designing highly ordered material with nanoscale periodicity is of great significance in the field of solid state chemistry. Herein, we report the synthesis of highly ordered 2D-hexagonal mesoporous zinc-doped silica using a mixture of anionic and cationic surfactants under hydrothermal conditions. Powder XRD, N2 sorption, TEM analysis revealed highly ordered 2D-hexagonal arrangements of the pores with very good surface area (762 m2 g−1) in this Zn-rich mesoporous material. Chemical analysis shows very high loading of zinc (ca. 12.0 wt%) in the material together with retention of hexagonal pore structure. Interestingly, high temperature calcination resulted into zinc silicate phase, unlike any ZnO phase, which otherwise is expected under heat treatments. High surface area together with Zn loading in this mesoporous material has been found useful for the catalytic activity of the materials in the acid-catalyzed transesterification reactions of various esters under mild liquid phase conditions.
Graphical abstractZn-rich 2D-hexagonal mesoporous materials are synthesized hydrothermally, which show very good catalytic activity in the transesterification reaction under mild liquid phase reaction conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Zn-rich 2D-hexagonal mesoporous silica. ► High surface area material. ► Efficient catalyst in liquid phase transesterification reaction. ► Biodiesel production.
