Transesterification reaction of vegetable oils, using superacid sulfated TiO2–base catalysts

Superacid sulfated titania catalyst, TiO2/SO4 (TS-series), have been prepared via the sol–gel technique, with different sulfate concentrations. The relation of structure and catalytic activity of the prepared material have been evaluated. The obtained material was characterized by several techniques, as infrared and Raman absorption spectroscopy, pyridine-adsorption infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses and obtention of N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. The catalyst that exhibits the highest catalytic activity in the methanolysis of soybean and castor oils at 120 °C, for 60 min (40% and 25%, respectively) was that which displayed the highest specific surface area, average pores diameter and pore volume, and highest percentage in sulfate groups (TS-5).

Graphical abstractSuperacid sulfated titania (TiO2/SO4) catalysts (TS series) have been prepared via the sol–gel technique, with different sulfate concentrations, and tested in the methanolysis reaction of soybean and castor oils at 120 °C, for 60 min. These catalysts have been characterized by several techniques in order to determine their physico-chemical characteristics and the influence of their properties in their catalytic activity. The catalyst that exhibits the highest catalytic activity (TS-5) was that which displayed the highest specific surface area, average pores diameter and pore volume, and highest percentage in sulfate groups.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide