CERIUM-ZINC MIXED OXIDES FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF PROPYLENE CARBONATE VIA ALCOHOLYSIS OF UREA

Abstract

Propylene carbonate (PC) is a cyclic alkyl carbonate having a wide range of applications in cosmetic industries, producing other linear carbonates such as dimethyl carbonate and as an electrolyte in batteries. Various routes are available for PC production, out of which alcoholysis of urea has the advantage over others due to easy availability and cheap raw materials. Despite the benefits, the studies available are scarce. In the following study, the use of cerium-zinc mixed metal oxides in different molar ratios was conducted for the synthesis of PC from propylene glycol (PG) and urea. Catalysts were synthesized using the co precipitation method. The prepared catalysts were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), thermos-gravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), CO2 temperature programmed desorption (TPD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Various parametric studies have been investigated, such as the effect of catalyst dosage, molar ratio of reactants, time, and temperature. After optimization of parameters, the highest conversion obtained was found to be 89%.