Catalytic Behavior Of An Alumina-Metal Acetate Nanohydrid

Abstract

The surface of alumina nanoparticles, prepared by the sol-gel method, was chemically modified through a zinc acetate complex, to produce a nanohybrid material. Succinic acid was used as a coupling agent between the zinc acetate and the alumina particles, providing a significant increase in the mobility of the zinc complex. Bidentate bridging and unidentate bonding modes were identified between the succinic acid and the OH groups of the alumina sol, whereas the zinc acetate reacts with the modified alumina (i.e. with the unreacted OH of the succinic acid) via unidentate bonding. Evidence of direct interaction between the OH groups of alumina sol and the zinc acetate complex was also observed. The samples were characterized by S_BET, XRD, FT-IR and thermal analysis. The increment in the mobility of the zinc complex and in its chemical activity was indirectly determined through the catalytic activity of the complex in the esterification reaction of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) with ethylene glycol (EG).

Keywords:

• SOL-GEL METHOD
• FT-IR ALUMINA PARTICLES
• SURFACE MODIFICATION
• ESTERIFICATION OF DMT
• CATALYTIC ACTIVITY