3.1. Characterization of catalyst
3.1.1. FTIR
Fig. 1 depicts the FTIR spectrum of the KBr impregnated CaO
sample. Stretching vibrations of surface hydroxyl groups (Ca–OH)
and physisorbed moisture were noticed. Bands of carbonate ions
(CO32) were also present. The surface carbonate and hydroxyl species
existed due to the catalyst exposure to the air for sometime
while performing the FTIR analysis. The FTIR result clearly demonstrates
the tendency of CaO to react withmoisture and CO2 in the air.