Selected acid and basic functionalized ordered mesoporous materials as solid catalysts for transesterification of canola oil: A comparative study

This study investigates the preparation and application of mesoporous silica-supported basic and acidic catalysts in transesterification. Mesoporous silicas of SBA-15 and MCF type were prepared and modified by post-synthesis with organic moieties (amine and sulfonic). The obtained supports and catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption, IR spectroscopy, MAS NMR, SEM, and TEM techniques. The results show that several active groups attached to the SBA-15 and MCF silica channels do not lead to the collapsing of the characteristic open structure of the mesoporous sieves. The investigated catalysts exhibit high activity and selectivity in the transesterification of canola oil. The SBA-15-phenyl-SO3H one shows the highest conversion (84.6%) after 6 h (at 150 °C), which is comparable to the activity of H2SO4. The selectivity towards fatty acid methyl esters was noted at the level of 60.6% (after 6 h of reaction).