Nano KF/Al2O3 particles as an efficient catalyst for no-glycerol biodiesel production by coupling transesterification

Abstract

In this study, an efficient solid base catalyst, nano KF/Al₂O₃, for no-glycerol biodiesel production was prepared using nano γ-Al₂O₃ particles as support, and was used in the tri-component coupling transesterification of canola oil, dimethyl carbonate and methanol. The preparation optimum conditions (blending temperature, blending time, calcination temperature and calcination time) as well as the loading amount of KF were screened in detail. A yield of biodiesel, 98.8%, was obtained under the conditions of KF loading of 10.0 wt%, calcination temperature of 400 °C, 2 h of reaction time at 338 K, 5.0 wt% catalysts and molar ratio of methanol/oil/DMC of 8 : 1 : 1. This high conversion of vegetable oil to biodiesel is considered to be associated with the high surface to volume ratio and basicity of the catalyst surface.