Basic ionic liquid immobilized oxides as heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel synthesis from waste cooking oil

Synthesis of biodiesel from waste cooking oil catalyzed by β-cyclodextrin modified Mg–Al–La composite oxide

In this study, Mg–Al–La composite oxide loaded with ionic liquid [Bmim]OH was used as a catalyst for the synthesis of fatty acid isobutyl ester (FAIBE) via transesterification between waste cooking oil and isobutanol. Mg–Al–La composite oxide was synthesized from the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) intercalation modification of Mg–Al–La layered double hydroxides. The structure of the catalyst was characterized via XRD, BET and EDS. The results showed that the interlayer space of the catalyst was increased due to β-CD intercalation modification. The IL/CD–Mg–Al–La catalyst exhibited significant catalytic activity and regeneration performance in transesterification due to large interlayer space and strongly alkaline ionic liquid. The yield of FAIBE achieved was 98.3% under the optimum reaction condition and 95.2% after regeneration for six times. The viscosity–temperature curve of FAIBE was determined and the phase transition temperature was −1 °C. The pour point of FAIBE was only −10 °C, which exhibited excellent low temperature fluidity.

In this study, Mg–Al–La composite oxide loaded with ionic liquid [Bmim]OH was used as a catalyst for the synthesis of fatty acid isobutyl ester (FAIBE) via transesterification between waste cooking oil and isobutanol.

Acidic Functionalized Nanobohemite: An Active Catalyst for Methyl Ester Production

In the biodiesel production, acidic catalysts are ideally suitable for reacting with different oil sources at various free acid levels. On the other hand, the nanocatalysts can easily be propagated in the reaction medium and provide more accessible active sites for reaction. The aim of this work was to synthesize an acidic nanocatalyst based on boehmite nanoparticles then studying it to biodiesel production from soybean oil. Up to now, no reports were found on biodiesel production by this catalyst. After the synthesis and characterization of the catalyst, using response surface methodology (RSM), the optimized conditions for transesterification were 4.87 wt.% for catalyst dosage, 13:1 for the molar ratio of methanol to oil, 60 °C for reaction temperature, and 3 h for reaction time. At the optimal point, the production yield was 99.8 %. After six consecutive use of the catalyst, the yield dropped slightly (88 %). Consequently, the catalyst can be employed efficiently several runs in the production process.

Functionalised heterogeneous catalysts for sustainable biomass valorisation

Functionalised heterogeneous catalysts show great potentials for efficient valorisation of renewable biomass to value-added chemicals and high-energy density fuels.