High surface area zincosilicates as efficient catalysts for the synthesis of ethyl lactate: an in-depth structural investigation. Issue 40 (23rd September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collard, Xavier; Louette, Pierre; Fiorilli, Sonia; Aprile, Carmela
• Is Part Of: Physical chemistry chemical physics. Volume 17:Issue 40(2015)
• Page Start: 26756
• Page End: 26765
• Publication Date: 2015-09-23
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.3
• DOI: 10.1039/c5cp03577e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9076

Abstract

Abstract : Novel extra-small Zn-MCM-41 mesoporous materials were successfully prepared following a straightforward synthesis route. The insertion of zinc as single site species was investigated for the first time using XPS via the Auger parameter in a Wagner plot representation. The XPS findings resulted in excellent agreement with IR analysis. Abstract : Novel Zn-MCM-41 mesoporous materials with particle diameters ranging from 20 to 120 nm were successfully prepared following a straightforward synthesis route. The structural and textural properties of the solids were characterized by N2 -physisorption, X-ray diffraction, 29 Si MAS-NMR, TEM and EDX. These results allow evidencing the presence of an ordered mesoporous structure with a very high specific surface area. The insertion of zinc as single site species within the silica framework was investigated using XPS via the Auger parameter in a Wagner plot representation. This is the first time that an in-depth investigation of these types of solids using XPS techniques was performed. The presence of Brønsted and Lewis acidity was elucidated by following in the IR the interaction with ammonia and carbon monoxide. The materials were tested for the conversion of dihydroxyacetone into ethyl lactate with good results both in terms of yield and selectivity and the catalytic activity resulted in excellent agreement with IR and XPS analysis.