3.3. Catalytic Performance
In this work, the main target is the preparation of heterogenized catalysts by electrostatic immobilization of ionic liquids onto the SBA-15. The obtained catalysts have the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts; where the immobilized ionic liquids move loosely in the reaction medium and become easily accessible for the reactants. The esterification of oleic OA with TMP for bio-lubricant production was employed to measure the catalytic activity. In general, no significant difference in textural characteristics or content of ionic liquids of the two catalysts can be observed. The difference is only in the acidity strength of the tow catalytic systems which originated from the different inductive effects of the substituents on the imidazolium molecular cation.