Organic Structure-Directing Agent Free Synthesis of Mordenite with Seeds, Used as A Support for Mo Catalysts in the Transesterification of Soybean Oil

Abstract

This work prepared mordenite using seeds and without organic structure-directing agents (OSDAs). The Mo/Mordenite was prepared through wet impregnation and the catalysts’ performance was checked for transesterification of soybean oil with methanol. The mordenite zeolite was prepared through hydrothermal crystallization under static conditions with a molar composition of 6Na<sub>2</sub>O:Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>:30SiO<sub>2</sub>:780H<sub>2</sub>O. The catalyst samples were characterized crystallinity through X-ray diffraction, elemental composition by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Surface areas by N<sub>2</sub> adsorption-desorption, surface morphology scanning electron microscopy, functional group by infrared spectroscopy and active sites by temperature programmed desorption of ammonia. The transesterification of soybean oil was carried out using the following parameters: 5% catalyst by weight, 1:12 oil to methanol molar ratio, at 200°C for either 12 h or 24 h. X-ray diffraction patterns showed the characteristic peaks of the mordenite structure. After molybdenum oxide was added, the structure of mordenite zeolite was conserved while the specific surface area was reduced. The morphology can be described as a highly crystalline material with well-defined crystalline particles having a spherical profile characteristic of the typical morphology of sodium mordenite zeolite with a low silicon/aluminum ratio. The catalyst samples exhibited sites of a weak and medium-strength nature. The higher activity of the catalyst (Mo/Mordenite) about mordenite zeolite, could be justified by the existence of molybdenum. The wet impregnation of metal (Mo) on the surface of the MOR zeolite is an effective option to increase the acidity of the solid catalysts. Mordenite with 8.84% Mo could be a promising catalyst for the biodiesel factory.