Esterification process catalyzed by ZSM-5 zeolite synthesized via modified hydrothermal method.

A modified hydrothermal method for ZSM-5 synthesis was described. The crystals gave a typical pattern (2θ at around 22.5°, 24.0° and 29.8° corresponding to the major peaks of (501, 303 and 503 crystal surfaces)), which indicated that the subnanocrystals could have the primary structure of MFI-type zeolites. the FT-IR spectra of subnanocrystals which have the primary structure of MFI zeolites. Oleic acid methyl ester (OAME) was prepared via a rapid derivatization procedure. the acidic strength is determined by the zeolite crystal structure and the higher esterification rate of ZSM-5 can be attributed to its stronger acidity compared to H2 SO4 , especially after 50 min of reaction. ZSM-5 can be an excellent substitute to sulfuric acid which caused corrosion and equipments damage. •Zeolites are popular industrial catalysts comprised of crystalline microporous materials.•A modified hydrothermal method was used for ZSM-5 synthesis.•Synthesized ZSM-5 has a typical subnanocrystals structure corresponds to MFI- type Zeolite.•ZSM-5 can be an excellent substitute to sulfuric acid for the catalysis of esterification reactions.