| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49240 | Catalysis Communications | 2016 | 5 Pages |
•ARM-supported Zn/Al mixed oxide catalyst are prepared by the hot wet impregnation•The presence of ARM improves the activity for synthesis of glycerol carbonate (GC)•The reaction paths are investigated based on product distribution by FT-IR analysis•The balance of active sites over ARM and ZnO/ZnAl2O4 influences on GC yields
Catalytic conversion to glycerol carbonate (GC) from glycerol and urea was investigated with Zn/Al oxide catalysts supported by activated red mud (ARM), a waste material. Compared to an unsupported catalyst, ARM-supported Zn/Al oxide catalysts exhibited higher GC yields. ARM-supported Zn/Al oxide catalysts showed a volcano curve for the GC yield as a function of the Zn/Al loading. FTIR analysis revealed the ARM-supported Zn/Al oxide catalysts to be more selective, resulting in higher GC yield. The balance of active sites from ARM and Zn/Al oxide was related to rates of each reaction step in GC synthesis, which eventually influenced on the selectivity and yield of GC.
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