Stabilizing Triglyceride in Methanol Emulsions via a Magnetic Pickering Interfacial Catalyst for Efficient...

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Green Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Pickering emulsion systems offer potential for simultaneous intensification and catalysis in transesterification.
• Achieving high biodiesel yields via static transesterification is hindered by emulsion instability at reaction temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop stable Pickering emulsion systems for efficient static transesterification.
• To investigate the role of catalyst density in emulsion stability and transesterification performance.

Main Methods:

• Construction of magnetically recyclable Pickering interfacial catalysts (PICs) with varying densities.
• Stabilization of soybean oil/methanol emulsions using PICs.
• Analysis of emulsion stability concerning droplet settling and catalyst particle shedding.
• Optimization of PIC properties (density, lipophilicity) and addition amount.

Main Results:

• PIC density significantly impacts emulsion stability, counteracting gravity effects on catalyst adsorption.
• Optimized PICs maintained emulsion stability for over 12 hours at 60 °C.
• Achieved a high biodiesel yield of 95.6% through static transesterification.
• The best performing PIC demonstrated reusability for at least 7 cycles.

Conclusions:

• PIC density is a critical factor for stabilizing triglyceride/methanol emulsions in static transesterification.
• An optimized Pickering emulsion system enables efficient, stable, and recyclable biodiesel production.
• This approach presents a green and sustainable strategy for biodiesel manufacturing.