Preparação dos catalisadores MoO3/MCM-41 e MoO3/SBA-15 com fontes alternativas de sílica destinados à reação de transesterificação do óleo de soja.

Abstract

The study aimed to synthesize the MCM-41 and SBA-15 molecular sieves, using alternative silica sources, and to prepare the MoO3/MCM-41 and MoO3/SBA-15 catalysts and to evaluate their catalytic potential in the transesterification reaction of soybean for biodiesel production. The MCM-41 and SBA-15 molecular sieves were synthesized using TEOS, chocolate B clay, rice husk ash and glass powder as silica sources. The molecular sieves were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. Alternative silica sources were previously dissolved in NaOH solution (1 mol.L-1), filtered and the filtrates containing silica in the liquid phase were stored for further use in the molecular sieve synthesis. The MCM-41 synthesis occurred in two steps, the thermal ageing occurred at 28 °C for 2 hours and the hydrothermal synthesis occurred at 150 °C for 96 hours. The SBA-15 synthesis occurred in two steps, the thermal ageing occurred at 35 °C for 24 hours and the hydrothermal synthesis occurred at 100 °C for 48 hours. The synthesis products were washed with distilled water, filtered, dried at 60 °C for 24 hours and calcined at 550 °C for 7 hours.The MoO3 deposition on MCM-41 and SBA-15 support was performed by means of wetness impregnation using an aqueous solution of 0,1 mol.L-1 Ammonium Heptamolybdate. After the impregnation process, the material was subjected to calcination. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (ED-XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The catalysts were evaluated in the transesterification reaction of soybean oil with ethanol in a batch reactor without stirring at 100 ° C for 3 hours. The results of XRD and ED-XRF of the silica sources show that all are composed of amorphous and crystalline silica, evidencing the potential of the materials. The results of XRD, SEM and FTIR of the molecular sieves showed the efficiency of the synthesis of MCM-41 and SBA-15 and MoO3/MCM-41 and MoO3/SBA-15 catalysts with all silica sources. The biodiesel were characterized using techniques for determining specific mass, kinematic viscosity and acid index. The products generated evidenced the catalytic power of the catalysts, but revealed that the reaction conditions employed are insufficient for the production of B100 biodiesel.