Super rapid preparation of biodiesel over highly dispersed K2CO3 supported by LDH

Abstract A new heterogeneous K 2 CO 3 supported by a layered double hydroxide (LDH), Mg–Al hydrotalcite, was prepared and used as a catalyst for the biodiesel preparation by a tri‐component coupling transesterification of methanol, vegetable oil, and methyl acetate. K 2 CO 3 /Mg‐Al exhibits high catalytic activities, and biodiesel yield can reach 99.48% within 20 min under 60°C, with 6 wt.% of K 2 CO 3 /Mg‐Al, 1:1:12 molar ratio of rapeseed oil, methyl acetate, and methanol. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen physical adsorption, thermogravimetry analysis, and CO 2 ‐chemical adsorption were used to assess the physical properties of the prepared K 2 CO 3 /Mg‐Al. Using the tri‐component coupling transesterification, 12.2% cost reduce can be get by reducing the cost from 8458 to 7424 ¥/t compared with di‐component transesterification containing oil and methanol as resource.