Abstract: A new type of rare earth solid superacid catalyst SO42-/SnO2-CeO2 was prepared by sol-gel method and was characterized by XRD, TG-DTA and nitrogen adsorption-desorption techniques. The catalytic performance of the prepared catalyst was evaluated by esterification of acetic acid and n-butanol, and the influences of preparation parameters, such as rare earth content, H2SO4 concentration and calcination temperature, on the catalytic properties were studied. Results showed that SO42-/SnO2-CeO2 catalyst prepared under the optimum conditions of a CeO2 mol percentage of 3%, impregnation with 2.0 mol/L H2SO4 and calcination at 600℃ for 3 h exhibited good catalytic activity. As compared with SO42-/SnO2 catalyst, less crystallization was observed, the amount of adsorbed organic compounds on the catalyst during esterification was reduced and the catalyst stability was improved. It was found that the catalyst could be reused for more than six times still with high catalytic activity.

Key words: rare earth, solid super acid, preparation, Analytical method, calcining, sulfuric acid