Surface modification of Mayenite fabricated via microwave combustion method by KOH for biodiesel production

In this study, microwave-assisted solution combustion method was utilizedfor fabrication of Mayenite (Ca12Al14O33) as support and the amount ofurea as important parameter during synthesis of the sample wasassessed. Then the supports werre impregnated by KOH and used in thebiodiesel production process from canola oil under microwave irradiation.The results present that during impregnation of potassium components,the structure of support was interestingly transformed from CaAl2O4 toCa12Al14O33 structure due to incorporation of potassium in alumina latticeand more diffusion of calcium cations into support lattice. On the otherhands, when the amount of fuel passed the optimum amount (2 times ofstoichiometric amount), the crystallinity was reduced due to formation highamount of smoke during combustion and prevention the entry of air(oxygen) into the system. The results of microwave-enhancedtransesterification reaction confirmed the results of analyses that theconversion of 94.5% was obtained using optimum sample at 450 W, 12molar ratios of methanol/oil, 4 wt.% catalyst and 60 min reaction time.According to the stability of the optimum sample (at least three times(> 75%)) along with its unique mesoporous structure, uniformly dispersionof potassium components and high basicity sites, it can consider as acomparable solid base nanocatalyst for biodiesel production.

Keywords:

Mayenite , Nanocatalyst , Microwave Combustion , Biodiesel , Canola Oil