Effect of Al loading on CaO catalysts for biodiesel production

Al loaded CaO catalysts for biodiesel synthesis were prepared with alkali co-precipitation method and investigated. The catalytic activities were examined with transesterification of triolein to oleic methyl ester (OME) as model reaction of biodiesel formation. The catalytic activity of these catalysts strongly depends on the amount of Al loading and formation of composite oxide phase on catalyst surface. The structure and nature of active sites on the catalyst surface were measured with XRD and temperature programmed desorption of CO₂ and methanol. The TPD results revealed that the initial reaction activity strongly depended on the formation and stability of methoxide intermediate on the catalyst surface.