Sulfonic SBA-15 silica with amphiphilic properties: Effect of incorporating hydrophobic groups on the esterification of glycerine with fatty acids

Abstract

Heterogeneous catalysts with amphiphilic properties were studied for the esterification of glycerine with fatty acids, with the aim of developing materials that are preferentially located at the interface of immiscible reactants, and thus, potentially more active than a catalyst concentrated in the bulk of one of the phases. This was tested using SBA-15 functionalized with sulfonic groups, as well as methyl or octyl groups to provide the amphiphilic character. More hydrophobic catalysts presented higher affinity for the interface and led to higher reaction rates. However, the production of secondary products was also higher and influenced by the phase that initially filled the pores.