MgO-Li2O catalysts templated by a PDMS-PEO comb-like copolymer for transesterification of vegetable oil to biodiesel
Author(s)
Lu, Haitao
Yu, Xinhai
Yang, Shuang
Yang, Huagui
Tu, Shan-Tung
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2016
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
In this study, MgO-Li2O catalysts were developed for biodiesel synthesis using poly(dimethylsiloxane-ethyleneoxide) PDMS-PEO as a structure-directing agent. The MgO-Li2O catalysts have a three-dimensional interconnected highly porous structure with bimodal pore distribution that enhances the transesterification reaction. Moreover, Li atoms are not accommodated by alternating MgO slabs within the growth regions; thus a Li exsolution is locally generated and gives rise to a unique morphology of hybrid MgO and Mg2SiO4 crystals loaded with the surface Li2O nanoparticles. The dispersed Li2O nanoparticles results in an increases ...
View more >In this study, MgO-Li2O catalysts were developed for biodiesel synthesis using poly(dimethylsiloxane-ethyleneoxide) PDMS-PEO as a structure-directing agent. The MgO-Li2O catalysts have a three-dimensional interconnected highly porous structure with bimodal pore distribution that enhances the transesterification reaction. Moreover, Li atoms are not accommodated by alternating MgO slabs within the growth regions; thus a Li exsolution is locally generated and gives rise to a unique morphology of hybrid MgO and Mg2SiO4 crystals loaded with the surface Li2O nanoparticles. The dispersed Li2O nanoparticles results in an increases of strong basic sites. We found that the best catalyst of LM0.12-873 (Li/Mg molar ratio = 0.12, calcination temperature is 873 K) with the largest amount of strong basic sites has better catalytic activity and anti-leaching ability compared with other reported catalysts. The MgO-Li2O catalysts templated by a PDMS-PEO comb-like copolymer have a high potential for use in the large-scale biodiesel production.
View less >
View more >In this study, MgO-Li2O catalysts were developed for biodiesel synthesis using poly(dimethylsiloxane-ethyleneoxide) PDMS-PEO as a structure-directing agent. The MgO-Li2O catalysts have a three-dimensional interconnected highly porous structure with bimodal pore distribution that enhances the transesterification reaction. Moreover, Li atoms are not accommodated by alternating MgO slabs within the growth regions; thus a Li exsolution is locally generated and gives rise to a unique morphology of hybrid MgO and Mg2SiO4 crystals loaded with the surface Li2O nanoparticles. The dispersed Li2O nanoparticles results in an increases of strong basic sites. We found that the best catalyst of LM0.12-873 (Li/Mg molar ratio = 0.12, calcination temperature is 873 K) with the largest amount of strong basic sites has better catalytic activity and anti-leaching ability compared with other reported catalysts. The MgO-Li2O catalysts templated by a PDMS-PEO comb-like copolymer have a high potential for use in the large-scale biodiesel production.
View less >
Journal Title
Fuel
Volume
165
Subject
Physical chemistry
Chemical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Science & Technology
Energy & Fuels
Engineering