Metal Oxides Derived from Modified Hydromagnesite: Evaluation of Their Catalytic Activity in the Synthesis of Ethyl Biodiesel

Author(s)

Guebara, Pamela F. ^[1] ; Perrone, Olavo M. ^[1] ; Siqueira, Marcos R. ^[1] ; Mancini, Marcelo ^[1] ; Da-Silva, Roberto ^[2] ; Gomes, Eleni ^[2] ; Boscolo, Mauricio ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP IBILCE, Dept Chem & Environm Sci, Av Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP IBILCE, Dept Microbiol, Av Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMISTRYSELECT; v. 4, n. 34, p. 10202-10207, SEP 13 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Biofuels are already part of the energy matrix in many countries because of their environmental and economic benefits. Ethyl biodiesel can be produced by various processes, the main one being transesterification of triglyceraldehydes and ethanol. The current technological challenge is to develop efficient heterogeneous catalysts, at low cost, non-polluting and recyclable to be used in this process. In this context, hydromagnesites Mg-5(CO3)(4)(OH)(2)4H(2)O modified with different cations (Ca2+, Zn2+, Cu (2+), Ba2+) and synthesized by co-precipitation are used as precursors of catalytic oxides calcined at 600 degrees C. The biodiesel synthesis was conducted at 120 degrees C for 12 h using 20% (w/w) of catalyst per mass of soybean oil and the ratio 1:20 (mol/mol) of soybean oil/ethanol. The alkyl esters formed were quantified by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). The transesterification reaction catalyzed by the reference oxide had a yield of 40%, whereas the best yield (80%) came from the hydromagnesite modified with 20% of Ca2+ which also had the highest basicity/acidity ratio. After use in three reaction cycles, the catalyst with 20% Ca2+ had no significant reduction in efficiency when it was washed with acetone and recalcined at 600 degrees C, while the untreated catalyst only had a yield of 42%, showing the need for effective reconditioning. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/13230-5 - Partial ethanol reforming: stability and selectivity of mix metal amphoteric oxides as catalysts for atmospheric pressure flow reaction
• Grantee: Mauricio Boscolo
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/11588-4 - Hydrotalcites containing Ag, Cu, Ni, Fe, La or Nb as catalysts for dehydrogenation of ethanol and hydrogenation of sugar cane bagasse
• Grantee: Olavo Micali Perrone
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate