Mechanochemically Engineered CaO-CeO₂ Dual-Function Catalysts for Sustainable Glycerol Carbonate Production without...

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Materials Science
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Biorefinery waste, like glycerol, requires upgrading for sustainability and circular economy.
• Glycerol carbonate is a valuable product with applications in fuel additives and chemical synthesis.
• Developing efficient and sustainable catalytic processes is crucial for biorefinery valorization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the catalytic conversion of glycerol into glycerol carbonate using calcium oxide-cerium oxide (CaO-CeO2) dual-function catalytic materials.
• To develop a clean, efficient, and solvent-free synthesis method for glycerol carbonate.
• To enhance the circular economy and reduce the carbon footprint of biorefineries.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of CaO-CeO2 catalysts via a green mechanochemical method.
• Comprehensive catalyst characterization using XRD, FTIR, ICP, N2 sorption, CO2-TPD, and SEM/EDS.
• Evaluation of catalytic activity in the solvent-free transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate (DMC).

Main Results:

• The 40 wt% CaO-CeO2 catalyst demonstrated superior performance, achieving 95% glycerol conversion and 99% selectivity to glycerol carbonate.
• Optimized conditions included 10 wt% catalyst loading, 90 °C, 60 min reaction time, and a glycerol/DMC molar ratio of 1:3.
• The catalyst exhibited excellent reusability over four cycles, maintaining high conversion rates.
• Reaction kinetics followed irreversible second-order kinetics with an activation energy of 46.9 kJ mol-1.

Conclusions:

• A highly efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach for sustainable glycerol carbonate production from glycerol was developed.
• The synergistic interaction between CaO and CeO2 at the interface significantly enhances catalytic activity.
• This method contributes to the valorization of biorefinery waste, promoting a circular economy and net-zero goals.