Effects of alumina on GO and KIT-6 supports for the acetylation of glycerol

Abstract

The support effects of graphene oxide (GO) and KIT-6 on alumina loading as a catalyst to convert glycerol into value added products via the acetylation reaction were studied. The catalyst alumina loaded on the different supports of GO and KIT-6 was synthesized via modified Hummers’ and hydrothermal methods, respectively. Different weight percentages of alumina, such as 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9%, loaded on GO and KIT-6 were obtained via a wet impregnation method. The synthesized materials, with different GO and KIT-6 supports and metal oxide loadings, were characterized using the techniques of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) to obtain the physicochemical characteristics of the materials. Elemental analysis of the catalysts was done via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis to obtain the aluminium content in the supports. The catalytic activities of the catalysts were examined for the acetylation of glycerol with glacial acetic acid. The activities of the catalysts were optimized through studying different parameters, like the alumina loading on the support, temperature, time, and molar ratio of glycerol to glacial acetic acid. The catalysts showed potential to be used as a recycled material for the acetylation reaction.