Tailoring Acid and Surface Properties of WO3–ZrO2 Systems Derived from NH2‐UiO‐66 in the Alcoholysis of Furfuryl Alcohol
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Alkyl levulinates, are considered renewable chemicals, with potential as alternatives to fossil fuels. In this work, the production of alkyl levulinates from furfuryl alcohol (FA) was investigated using a series of WO3–ZrO2 catalysts derived from NH2‐UiO‐66 through a simple pyrolysis method. The catalysts were synthesized by varying WO3 content deposited over ZrO2/C, material obtained from the direct pyrolysis of the solvothermal synthesized NH2‐UiO‐66 MOF, via mechanochemistry. To obtain the target product in high yields, strategies were implemented centered on the increase of Bronsted acidity and acidity dispersion over the materials. Characterization analysis revealed that the calcination atmosphere and WO3 loading significantly influenced the surface properties of the catalysts, particularly type of WO3 deposition and surface acidity. Optimum catalyst, with 50% loading of WO3 calcined in a nitrogen atmosphere (WC50), exhibited the highest acidity and yield of alkyl levulinates. The effect of different alcohol solvents on the alcoholysis of furfuryl alcohol was studied, with methanol and ethanol yielding the best results (>99%). Reaction conditions, including temperature (120–210 °C) and time (15–60 min), were optimized. Recyclability tests showed that catalyst could maintain their activity up to the fourth cycle without loss of performance.
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Award: G2970052321
OpenAlex ID: W4409466659