One-step synthesis of mesoporous H4SiW12O40-SiO2 catalysts for the production of methyl and ethyl levulinate biodiesel

A novel one-step method for the synthesis of mesoporous H4SiW12O40-SiO2 catalysts with tunable composition was successfully developed using non-ionic polyethylene glycol dodecyl ether (Brij 30) as the structure-directing template. Different loadings of H4SiW12O40 (up to 30 wt.%) were effectively confined within the mesoporous channels of SiO2, which would facilitate easy recycling and allow for the efficient mass transport of reactants and products. The resultant mesoporous H4SiW12O40-SiO2 showed high catalytic activity for the production of methyl and ethyl levulinate biodiesel. The 20 wt.% H4SiW12O40-SiO2 catalyst exhibited the best performance in the synthesis of both methyl levulinate (73% yield achieved at 79% conversion of levulinic acid) and ethyl levulinate (67% yield obtained at 75% conversion of levulinic acid).

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► One-step synthesis of mesoporous H4SiW12O40-SiO2 with tunable compositions ► Different loadings of H4SiW12O40 (up to 30 wt.%) were successfully confined within the meso-channel of SiO2. ► The mesoporous H4SiW12O40-SiO2 catalysts were efficient for the synthesis of methyl levulinate and ethyl levulinate.