Super rapid preparation of biodiesel over highly dispersed K2CO3 supported by LDH

Abstract

AbstractA new heterogeneous K2CO3 supported by a layered double hydroxide (LDH), Mg–Al hydrotalcite, was prepared and used as a catalyst for the biodiesel preparation by a tri‐component coupling transesterification of methanol, vegetable oil, and methyl acetate. K2CO3/Mg‐Al exhibits high catalytic activities, and biodiesel yield can reach 99.48% within 20 min under 60°C, with 6 wt.% of K2CO3/Mg‐Al, 1:1:12 molar ratio of rapeseed oil, methyl acetate, and methanol. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen physical adsorption, thermogravimetry analysis, and CO2‐chemical adsorption were used to assess the physical properties of the prepared K2CO3/Mg‐Al. Using the tri‐component coupling transesterification, 12.2% cost reduce can be get by reducing the cost from 8458 to 7424 ¥/t compared with di‐component transesterification containing oil and methanol as resource.