Biodiesel production over thermal activated cerium modified Mg-Al hydrotalcites

Abstract

Abstract Heterogeneous basic catalysts can be used for biodiesel production. The performances of several types of such materials are described in the literature but small attention is given to its deactivation in reaction medium. This paper put in evidence that catalysts are not static identities in the reaction medium, and relates the physical characteristics of fresh and post reaction samples with deactivation mechanisms. Catalysts, tested during the methanolysis of soybean oil, were prepared by thermal activation of Ce modified Mg-Al hydrotalcites (Mg/Al = 3, Ce/Mg 0.03 (atomic ratio) presented FAME yields higher than 90%. Thermogravimetry analysis of post reaction catalysts evidenced that cerium influences the reaction mechanism. The post reaction catalysts evidenced that surface restructuring occurs during reaction with sizeable change of the elements distribution which as beneficial effect on the catalytic performances.