A novel poly(p-styrenesulfonic acid) grafted carbon nanotube/graphene oxide architecture with enhanced catalytic performance for the synthesis of benzoate esters and fatty acid alkyl esters

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/c5ra14813h

Considering the issue of low yield in the synthesis of benzoate esters and fatty acid alkyl esters, designing a high catalytic activity composite catalyst is very significant and attractive. In this study, the rational design strategy was used to develop a novel poly(p-styrenesulfonate acid, namely PSSF) grafted multi-walled carbon nanotube composite with graphene oxide nanomaterial (PSSF-mCNTs-GO) using a simple two-step method. FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TEM, and NH₃-TPD were used to characterize the inorganic-organic hybrid material. In particular, the addition of GO remarkably enhanced its catalytic performance in the production of fatty acid alkyl esters (92.16%) and benzoate esters (90.27%), in which the conversion was more than doubled as a result of its strong π-π interaction with the substrate. In addition, PSSF-mCNTs-GO can be separated from the substrate conveniently and still maintained a relatively high catalytic activity even after 6 times recycling, which indicates its rather good reusability. This novel catalyst is promising in the synthesis of biodiesel and benzoate esters.