Catalytic Properties of Heteropoly Acid H3PW12O40 Supported on Turkish Bentonite

Abstract

Catalysts based on tungstophosphoric acid on Turkish bentonite were obtained. The influence of the heteropoly acid content, in five different concentrations, was studied. The catalysts have been characterized using gas adsorption analysis (BET), thermogravimetry and surface acidity of samples were determined by pyridine adsorption using fourier transform infrared technique. The catalytic activity of these materials was tested for the esterification reactions of acetic acid with benzyl alcohol. The results showed that all catalysts have mesopores, thermal stability of samples higher than bulk heteropoly acid. According to FTIR results, the catalyst samples have medium Lewis acidity, but weak Brønsted acidity.