Room temperature transesterification of soybean oil to biodiesel catalyzed by rod-like CaxSiOx + 2 solid base

Rod-like CaxSiOx + 2 catalysts were synthesized by using one-pot hydrothermal method. Catalysts calcined at 550 °C were used in the transesterification reaction of soybean oil with methanol. Under methanol reflux condition, FAME yields of 82% and 95% were achieved on Ca4SiO6 in a reaction time of 1 and 2 h, separately. Also, the FAME yields on different CaxSiOx + 2 catalysts were correlated with their basic properties. Besides, a FAME yield of ca. 80% can be achieved under room temperature over Ca4SiO6 catalyst.

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► Rod-like CaxSiOx + 2 catalysts were synthesized by using one-pot hydrothermal method.
► Under methanol reflux, a FAME yield of 95% was achieved on Ca4SiO6 in 2 h.
► A FAME yield of ca. 80% can be achieved under room temperature on Ca4SiO6 catalyst.