Surface properties of pillared acid-activated bentonite as catalyst for selective production of linear alkylbenzene

Highlights: ► New catalysts were prepared by acid treatment and pillaring of bentonite. ► Treatments generated materials with different surface characteristics. ► Specific surface area, pore volume and acidity of acid-activated pillared clay were enhanced compared to the parent clay. ► More than 98% of conversion was achieved in the alkylation of benzene by 1-decene by acid-activated Al-pillared bentonite. ► Catalysts exhibited desirable selectivity toward linear alkylbenzene (LAB). - Abstract: Acid-activated and pillared montmorillonite were prepared as novel catalysts for alkylation of benzene with 1-decene for production of linear alkylbenzene. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, N2 adsorption isotherms, temperature programmed desorption of NH3, scanning electron microscopy and elemental and thermal analysis techniques. It was found that acid-activation of clays prior to pillaring increased the porosity, total specific surface area, total pore volume and surface acidity of the catalysts. Optimization of the reaction conditions was performed by varying catalyst concentration (0.25–1.75 wt%), reactants ratio (benzene to 1-decene of 8.75, 12 and 15) and temperature (115–145 °C) in a batch slurry reactor. Under optimized conditions more than 98% conversion of 1-decene, and complete selectivity for monoalkylbenzenes were achieved.