Synthesis of nanostructured carbon on Ni catalysts supported on mesoporous silica, preparation of carbon-containing adsorbents, and preparation and study of lipase-active biocatalysts

Abstract

This work continues a series of our studies on the synthesis of nanostructured carbon (NSC) by the pyrolysis of H₂ + C₃–C₄ alkane mixtures on nickel and cobalt metal catalysts supported on chemically diverse inorganic materials (aluminosilicates, alumina, carbon) having different textural characteristics (mesoporous and macroporous supports) and shapes (granules, foamed materials, and honeycomb monoliths). Here, we consider Ni catalysts supported on granular mesoporous silica (SiO₂). It has been elucidated how the yield of synthesized carbon depends on the Ni/SiO₂ catalyst preparation method (homogeneous precipitation or impregnation) and on the composition of the impregnating solution, including the molar ratio of its components—nickel nitrate and urea. The morphology of catalytic NSC and Ni distribution in the silica granule have been investigated using a scanning electron microscope with an EDX analyzer. Carbon-containing composite supports (NSC/SiO₂) have been employed as adsorbents for immobilizing microbial lipase. The enzymatic activity and stability of the resulting biocatalysts have been estimated in transesterification reactions of vegetable (sunflower and linseed) oils involving methyl or ethyl acetate, esterification, and synthesis of capric acid–isoamyl alcohol esters in nonaqueous media.