Green and facile synthesis of glycerol carbonate from bio-glycerol assisted by lithium titanate: A robust and selective heterogeneous catalyst

•Design of (Li2TiO3)10.667 nanospheres via simple wetness impregnation method for the first time.•Selective green synthesis of glycerol carbonate catalyzed by Li/TiO2.•Comprehensive study of process optimization of transesterification.•Mechanistic study and role of active sites of catalyst.