Fatemeh Gholami

Selective Monolaurin Synthesis through Esterification of Glycerol Using Sulfated Zirconia-Loaded SBA-15 Catalyst

The selective conversion of lauric acid to glycerol monolaurin over sulfated zirconia SBA prepared under various conditions was investigated in this study. The structural properties of the prepared catalysts were characterized using different characterization techniques. Sulfated zirconia was successfully incorporated with improved properties, such as larger mesopore surface area; the mesoporous structure was preserved as well. The highest yield of 79.1% was obtained during reaction over SZSBA-15 catalyst with 16 wt.% zirconium oxychloride loading and 3 h of reflux time. About 83.4% selectivity toward monolaurin was achieved at a high conversion of lauric acid (94.9%), a lauric acid-to-glycerol molar ratio of 4.0, within 6 h, and at 160°C. Product distribution was successfully elucidated. High selectivity to monolaurin was influenced by molecular sieving effects.

The influence of catalyst factors for sustainable production of hydrocarbons via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Abstract Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a process which catalytically converts syngas (H2 and CO) into clean hydrocarbon fuels. Syngas can be derived from non-petroleum feed stocks such as coal, natural gas or biomass. Increasing the quality of products by development of novel catalysts with high activity and selectivity is desirable in FTS reaction. This article reviews and summarizes recent developments in FTS catalysts and the effects of key factors such as active metals, catalyst supports and promoters on feedstock conversion and product selectivities.

Hydroxyapatite reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and bovine serum albumin for bone substitute applications

The similarity of the chemical composition of HA to the mineral phase of bone and its excellent biocompatibility meets the requirement of materials designed for bone substitute purpose. The application of HA in load bearing devices is limited by its poor mechanical properties. CNTs with outstanding stiffness, strength, combined with their small size and large interfacial area, suggest that they may have great potential as a reinforcing agent for HA. This work aims to develop the Hydroxyapatite/Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes/Bovine Serum Albumin (HA/MWCNTs/BSA) composites with different types of MWCNTs including hydroxylated and carboxylated MWCNTs (MWCNTs-OH, MWCNTs-COOH), and evaluation of mechanical strength and in vitro cellular response of developed composites. HA powder was mixed with de-ionized water, 15 wt.% BSA, and 0.5 wt.% of different MWCNTs* (> 95%), MWCNTs (> 99.9%), MWCNTs-OH (> 99.9%), MWCNTs-COOH (> 99.9%) to produce composites. Among all developed composites, the HA/MWCNTs-COOH/BSA shows t...

Modified silica-based heterogeneous catalysts for etherification of glycerol

The advent of mesoporous silicas such as MCM-41 has provided new opportunities for research into supported metal catalysis. The loading of metals into framework structures and particularly into the pores of porous molecular sieves, has long been of interest because of their potential catalytic activity. Stable heterogeneous mesoporous basic catalysts were synthesized by wet impregnation of MCM-41 with calcium nitrate and lanthanum nitrate. The surface and structural properties of the prepared catalysts were characterized using BET surface analysis, SEM and TEM. MCM-41 and modified MCM-41 were used in the solventless etherification of glycerol to produce diglycerol as the desired product. The reaction was performed at 250 °C for 8 h, and catalyst activity was evaluated. Catalytic etherification over the 20%Ca1.6La0.6/MCM-41 catalyst resulted in the highest glycerol conversion of 91% and diglycerol yield of 43%.