Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Stearic Acid Sucrose Ester: A Bio-Based Surfactant

Narasimharao Kondamudi, Owen M. McDougal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Sugar esters of fatty acids are bio-based surfactants that were synthesized by transesterification of table sugar (sucrose) with stearic acid methyl ester (SAME) in high yield and purity using an optimized microwave-assisted method. The maximum surfactant product yield of 88.2% was obtained by combining reactants with potassium methoxide and irradiating the mixture with microwaves to achieve an ideal reaction temperature of 132 °C over 21 min. The synthetic procedure described herein minimized undesirable sugar pyrolysis as evidenced by retention of white color characteristic of a pure bio-based surfactant product. The experiment implemented Box–Behnken design for response surface methodology to refine reaction parameters for optimal product yield. The following parameters were augmented: the irradiation time, the mole ratio of catalyst to sucrose, and temperature.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalChemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2019

Keywords

  • bio-based surfactant
  • microwave-assisted synthesis
  • response surface methodology
  • sugar ester

EGS Disciplines

  • Chemistry

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