The role of the KCaF3 crystalline phase on the activity of KF/CaO biodiesel synthesis catalyst

Abstract KF-loaded CaO is known as a good solid base catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. KCaF 3 is generated when the KF/CaO catalyst is prepared, but its role in biodiesel synthesis is uncertain. Herein, we systematically investigated how KCaF 3 affected the transesterification reaction to yield biodiesel. We found that KCaF 3 , by itself or as a component in KF/CaO, had no catalytic activity in biodiesel synthesis. Its real role was to improve the mechanical strength and structural robustness of the catalyst, thereby enhancing the catalytic activity of KF/CaO in transesterification reaction.