Three-dimensional, mesoporous titanosilicates as catalysts for producing biodiesel and biolubricants

• Three-dimensional, mesoporous titanosilicates as esterification catalysts.
• Esterification of oleic acid with mono and polyhydric alcohols.
• Biodiesel and biolubricants production using Ti-SBA-12 and Ti-SBA-16 catalysts.
• Stable and reusable solid esterification catalysts.

The application of three-dimensional, mesoporous titanosilicates, Ti-SBA-12 and Ti-SBA-16, as reusable solid acid catalysts for producing biodiesel and biolubricants is reported for the first time. Biodiesel was prepared by esterification of oleic acid with monohydric methanol and biolubricants by esterification with polyhydric alcohols (glycerol, trimethylolpropane, neopentyl glycol and pentaerythritol). High catalytic activity of these catalysts is attributed to the presence of dispersed Lewis acidic Ti sites and mesoporosity in the structure. Biodiesel yields as high as 90 mol% were obtained at 443 K. Surface hydrophobicity of the catalyst has also a predominant role, especially, in reactions involving polyhydric alcohols. In those reactions, Ti-SBA-16 showed higher catalytic activity than Ti-SBA-12.

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