Investigation of functionalized mesoporous carbons as heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production

Chengdu Liang, Sheng Dai, Ngee Sing Chong, Victor S.Y. Lin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Biodiesel, one of the choices of sustainable transport fuels, has been actively pursued because of its tremendous environmental and economical advantages. Oil or tallow, virgin, used or recovered feedstock, when treated with alcohol and a catalyst, undergoes transesterification reaction and yields a diesel fuel that is compatible with those currently manufactured for motor vehicle engines. Both acid and base can catalyze the transesterification reaction. We present herein our research on carbon-based heterogeneous catalysts for transesterification reaction of soybean oil with methanol. Mesoporous carbon mateials with tailored pore sizes, surface area, and pore geometries were synthesized via a soft templating method. Acidic sites were created on the carbon surface by either direct sulfonation or reduction of 4-sulfo-benzenediazonium. The efficiencies of the carbon-supported catalysts were evaluated based on the surface densities of functionalities and the nature of catalytic sites. The effects of pore sizes, surface area, and pore geometries were also investigated by using tailored porous carbons.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication233rd ACS National Meeting, Abstracts of Scientific Papers
StatePublished - 2007
Event233rd ACS National Meeting - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Mar 25 2007Mar 29 2007

Publication series

NameACS National Meeting Book of Abstracts
ISSN (Print)0065-7727

Conference

Conference233rd ACS National Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period03/25/0703/29/07

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