Preparation of Novel Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Fatty Acid Monoester Biodiesel Using Calcined Sodium Silicate

Abstract

A series of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) fatty acid monoesters were prepared by the transesterification of different fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) with EGME. A solid basic catalyst, namely, calcined sodium silicate, was used. Various parameters, such as the calcination temperature, amount of catalyst, molar ratio of FAME/EGME, reaction temperature, and time on the yield of EGMEML (ML = methyl laurate), were optimized; the reusability of calcined sodium silicate was also examined. Calcined sodium silicate was also used as a catalyst for examining the catalytic activity of soybean oil biodiesel with EGME. Thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, carbon dioxide temperature-programmed desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the properties of calcined sodium silicate. The results indicated that calcined sodium silicate was effective for the synthesis of novel biodiesel by FAMEs, with EGME as reactants. Centrifugation and deca...