Preparation of rare earth modified clay-based solid acid catalysts and their application for biodiesel production from soybean oil

ABSTRACT

In this study, catalysts of SO₄^2-/ZrO₂-La₂O₃-Hangjin 2# clay (SZLa-HJ) and SO₄^2-/ZrO₂-CeO₂-Hangjin 2# clay (SZCe-HJ) were prepared with La and Ce as cocatalysts respectively. The activity of the catalysts was evaluated based on the conversion of biodiesel, while examining the effects of rare earth doping, sulfuric acid concentration, and calcination temperature. Central composite design optimized the preparation procedure for SZLa-HJ and SZCe-HJ. NH₃-TPD, Py-FTIR, EDS, TG, DAT, SEM, XRD and XPS techniques were employed to describe it. The results showed that adding La or Ce to SO₄^2-/ZrO₂ Hangjin 2# clay effectively controlled the distribution of acid sites by increasing both Bronsted and Lewis acid sites in a way that maintained more Lewis acid sites in the catalyst; this was favorable for transesterification reaction.

KEYWORDS:

• Biodiesel
• central composite design
• rare earth element
• solid superacid
• sulfate radical/zirconium dioxide hangjin2# clay

Acknowledgements

Fund projects: the Scientific research project of colleges and universities in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (NJZY22508); Achievement transformation project of Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Department (2019CG018).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2023.2271432

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; Research Program of Science and Technology at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Notes on contributors

Lijun Ding

Lijun Ding, born in October 1978, is an associate professor and master tutor in the College of Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, member of the Key Laboratory of Agricultural Ecological Security and Green Development at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous. He is mainly engaged in the development and application of biomass energy.

Kaiquan Li

Kaiquan Li, born in February 1999, is a graduate student of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, mainly engaged in the development and application research of biomass energy.

Jing Chen

Jing Chen, born in June 1995, is a graduate student of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, mainly engaged in the development and application research of biomass energy.

Yinan Hao

Yinan Hao, born in June 1983, is an associate professor and master tutor in the College of Materials Science and Art Design, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, member of the National Forestry Grassland Engineering Technology Research Center for Efficient Development and Utilization of Sandy Shrubs. Mainly engaged in applied research in biomass materials.

Bo Hai

Bo Hai, born in March 1988, is an associate professor in the College of Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. She is mainly engaged in the development and application of biomass energy.