Study on the preparation and application of a carbon-based solid-acid catalyst with high surface area

【Objective】 The present study aimed at preparing a new carbon-based solid acid catalyst with high surface area.【Method】 The catalyst was synthesized in an aryl diazonium salt reduction process using activated carbon as catalyst carrier and sulfonic group as active sites.The influence of activated carbon raw materials on the catalyst preparation was studied.The esterification reaction of oleic acid and ethanol was used to examine the activity of catalyst.The reaction conditions such as ethanol to oleic acid molar ratio,reaction temperature,reaction time and catalyst mass on the oleic acid conversion were studied.【Result】 The carbon catalyst from coal-based activated carbon had the highest sulfonic group density of 0.64 mmol/g and best catalytic performance for the esterification of oleic acid and ethanol.The best reaction conditions for oleic acid esterification was as follows:ethanol to oleic acid molar ratio 10∶1,reaction temperature 80 ℃,reaction time 12 h,the amount of catalyst was 6% of oleic acid.Under these conditions,oleic acid conversion was 87.3%.The catalyst from coal-based activated carbon could be used for 3 times without obvious deactivoction.【Conclusion】 The carbon-based solid acid catalyst with high surface area can be prepared through the diazonium salt reduction of coal-based activated carbon.