Synthesis and characterizations of isolated WO4 anchored on mesoporous TiTUD-1 support

The titanium incorporated mesoporous silicate TUD-1 (Si/Ti ratio 40) was synthesized by non-surfactant route, and utilized as a support for tungstate (WO42-) species with variable loading (5-30 wt%). The structural and textural properties of these samples were evaluated from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N-2 physisorption studies. Diffuse reflectance UV-vis (DR UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Fourier transform Raman (FT Raman) spectra evidenced the Ti4+ coordination and the formation of WO42- species, further supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies. Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDAX), High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) further support the materials morphology corroborating other characterizations. The catalytic activities of these materials were tested in the liquid phase, solvent free esterification of acetic acid with n-butanol. About 95% of acetic acid conversion resulted by these catalysts with 8 h of reaction time. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.