Fast and easy preparation of a novel highly acidic sulfonic-functionalized SBA-1 cubic mesoporous catalyst and its application in the esterification of palmitic acid

Propylsulfonic acid-functionalized cubic mesoporous silica was prepared through in situ oxidization of mercaptopropyl groups with H2O2 during co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane under strong acidic conditions. The materials obtained with 5-20 mol % loadings of sulfonic acid groups had surface areas of up to 1300 m2/g and pore sizes of around 2.5 nm. Next, the catalytic activity of this material was investigated in esterification of palmitic acid as a compound model in the process of biodiesel production. Methyl ester production by this new nanoporous catalyst shows a very remarkable yield during a mild liquid phase reaction.