Graphite oxide-supported CaO catalysts for transesterification of soybean oil with methanol

► Graphite oxide (GO) supported CaO catalyst was prepared. ► The catalyst was applied to the transesterification reaction to produce biodiesel. ► The catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity and easily to be regenerated. ► There are a large amount of oxygen-containing groups on the surface of GO. ► The oxygen-containing groups act as anchoring centers for the active phase.