Preparation of Sulfonated Carbons from Rice Husk and Their Application in Catalytic Conversion of Glycerol

Author(s)

Galhardo, Thalita S. ^[1] ; Simone, Nathalia ^[1] ; Goncalves, Maraisa ^[1] ; Figueiredo, Flavia C. A. ^[1] ; Mandelli, Dalmo ^[1] ; Carvalho, Wagner A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING; v. 1, n. 11, p. 1381-1389, NOV 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 40

Abstract

Sulfonated carbons were prepared from carbonized rice husk and further treatment with sulfuric acid (TC-6M, sulfuric acid 6 mol L-1 under reflux, TC-L, concentrated 96% sulfuric acid under reflux, TC-V, vapor of concentrated 96% sulfuric acid). The catalytic activity of carbons was evaluated in esterification of glycerol with acetic acid (AA) and etherification of glycerol with tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). Only the TC-L carbon showed a significant amount of sulfur in its composition (2.2 mmol Cl-1). This catalyst also had the highest total acidity (5.8 mmol g(-1)) and improved the best catalytic performance in glycerol esterification and etherification. In the esterification reaction of glycerol, 90% conversion was observed after 5 h of reaction, with selectivities of 11%, 52%, and 37% to mono-, di-, and tri-glycerides, respectively. In the etherification of glycerol, after 4 h of reaction a conversion of 53% was achieved, with 25% selectivity to di-and tri-tert-butylglycerol. Thus, the use of sulfonated carbons in glycerol conversion proved to be an interesting alternative to add value to the production chains of rice and biodiesel by using their byproducts: rice husk and glycerol. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/07125-8 - Catalytic conversion of glycerol mediated by pillared clays, activated carbons and conducting polymers
• Grantee: Flávia Camargo Alves Figueiredo
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/07109-2 - Catalytic hydrogenolysis of glycerol mediated by ruthenium catalysts
• Grantee: Wagner Alves Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants