Abstract
Mesoporous V-Mo-MCM-41 nano molecular sieves were synthesized via the direct hydrothermal method, employing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a silica source and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant template. Comprehensive characterization through N(2)-adsorption (BET), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) confirmed the mesoporous nature of the catalysts, revealing variations in specific surface area and a significant pore diameter of 6.3 nm, enhancing their versatility for various chemical transformations. The nanoscale structure was further validated through XRD analysis and SEM images. The catalytic efficiency of V-Mo-MCM-41 was demonstrated by synthesizing oxalic acid from molasses, and a response surface methodology (RSM) study on four key variables revealed a maximum yield of 83 % within 1 h using minimal sulfuric acid, showcasing the effectiveness of the prepared catalysts.