Hierarchical, amine functionalized silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves for the synthesis of cyclic carbonate via CO2 utilization

The modification of silicoaluminophosphates by amine functionalization or acid treatment for generation of mesoporosity leads to enhance the activity which are capable of both CO2 utilization and conversion is a new research topic for addressing ever-increasing CO2 emissions and the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides. Post-synthetic -NH2 functionalization SAPO-5 and SAPO-34 molecular sieves have been done through aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and HNO3 was used to generate mesoporosity. SEM and TEM analyses confirmed the materials' morphology. The presence of -NH2 functionalities into the wall of the SAPO structure was demonstrated by FT-IR, CHN analysis, and BET and ICP-OES analysis confirmed the existence of hierarchical structure of acid-treated materials. Because of the high recyclability of these acid-treated and amine functionalized SAPO materials, the catalysts are found to be both cost-effective and environmentally benign.