Magnetic solid base catalyst CaO/CoFe_2O_4 for biodiesel production: Influence of basicity and wettability of the catalyst in catalytic performance

摘要

A novel magnetic solid base catalyst CaO/CoFe_2O_4 was successfully prepared with CoFe_2O_4 synthesized by hydrothermal method as the magnetic core and applied to the transesterification of soybean oil for the production of biodiesel. The magnetic solid base catalysts were characterized by a series of techniques including CO_2-TPD, powder XRD, TGA, TEM and the contact angle measurement of the water droplet. It was demonstrated that CaO/CoFe_2O_4 has stronger magnetic strength indicating perfect utility for repeated use and better basic strength. Compared with CaO/ZnFe_2O_4 and CaO/MnFe_2O_4, solid base catalyst CaO/CoFe_2O_4 has better catalytic performance, weaker hydroscopicity and stronger wettability, demonstrating that catalytic performance was relative to both basicity of catalyst and the full contact between the catalyst and the reactants, but the latter was a main factor in the catalytic system.