Super rapid preparation of biodiesel over highly dispersed K₂CO₃ supported by LDH

A new heterogeneous K2CO3 supported by a layered double hydroxide (LDH), Mg-Al hydrotalcite, was prepared and used as a catalyst for the biodiesel preparation by a tri-component coupling transesterification of methanol, vegetable oil, and methyl acetate. K2CO3/Mg-Al exhibits high catalytic activities, and biodiesel yield can reach 99.48% within 20 min under 60 & DEG;C, with 6 wt.% of K2CO3/Mg-Al, 1:1:12 molar ratio of rapeseed oil, methyl acetate, and methanol. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen physical adsorption, thermogravimetry analysis, and CO2-chemical adsorption were used to assess the physical properties of the prepared K2CO3/Mg-Al. Using the tri-component coupling transesterification, 12.2% cost reduce can be get by reducing the cost from 8458 to 7424 yen /t compared with di-component transesterification containing oil and methanol as resource.