Synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of S2O82−/x wt% Ce–Al–Fe–O solid acid catalysts in the esterification reaction of acetic acid with n-butanol

A series of S2O8 2−/x wt% Ce–Al–Fe–O solid acid catalysts were prepared by the sol–gel method. Their catalytic performances for the synthesis of n-butyl acetate from acetic acid and n-butanol were investigated. The catalytic properties and crystalline phases of S2O8 2−/x wt% Ce–Al–Fe–O solid acid catalysts were characterized by XRD, IR, TG/DSC and SEM techniques. Experimental results showed that S2O8 2−/10 wt% Ce–Al–Fe–O solid acid catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity with 99.90 % esterification efficiency of acetic acid. Moreover, the S2O8 2−/10 wt% Ce–Al–Fe–O solid acid catalyst showed excellent stability with no obvious change in catalytic activity even after being used repeatedly for eight times.