Functional of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes on ZSM-5 Zeolite a New Nano Catalyst for Organic Reaction

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were modified with carboxylic acid functional groups (MWCNTs-(COOH) n), and in the next step ZSM-5 type zeolite was modified with amino-propyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Finally, a new composite ZSM-5@MWCNT with micro-meso structure was obtained by the reaction between modified MWCNTs and ZSM-5. The ZSM-5@MWCNT was characterized by various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis (TGA/ DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and used as an efficient catalyst for esterification reactions. The catalyst was recovered and retained its activity for at least five cycles without significant loss of efficiency.

Automated summary

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were functionalized with carboxylic acid groups (MWCNTs-(COOH)n), and ZSM-5 zeolite was modified with amino-propyltriethoxysilane (APTES). A micro-meso structured composite ZSM-5@MWCNT was obtained by the reaction between modified MWNTs and ZSM-5. The ZSM-5@MWCNT catalyst exhibited high efficiency for esterification reactions, and could be recycled for at least five cycles without significant loss of activity.