Abstract:
Ordered mesoporous Ca/SBA-15 was synthesized by adding calcium nitrate during SBA-15 synthesis via hydrothermal for improving stability that can use as catalyst in transesterification reaction. From the results, Ca/SBA-15 still had ordered mesoporous same as SBA-15. However, the specific surface area and pore volume were decreased from 594 to 260 m2/g and 1.04 to 0.46 cm3/g, respectively. Calcium was bond with SBA-15 structure inside the pores. When the mole ratio of Ca/Si increased, more calcium was found on the surface of SBA-15 resulted in the decreasing of the specific surface area and pore volume. At the calcinations temperature 550℃, 650℃ and 750℃, the specific surface area and pore size were decreased with the increasing of temperature. At the calcination at 750℃, the calcium silicate was formed which the structure of SBA-15 was change. Furthermore, the ordered mesoporous was destroyed when increased time of hydrothermal from 1 day to 2 day. Ca/SBA-15 catalysts were used as the catalysts for transesterification reaction of palm oil and methanol. The reaction was performed at mole ratio palm oil : methanol 1:27, catalyst concentration 5wt% by oil, 200℃ for 2 hours. 0.5_Ca/SBA-15_550℃ gave the highest %FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) at 96% comparing to the 95% from the catalyst impregnation of CaO on SBA-15. While increasing the calcinations temperature from 550℃ to 750℃, the base strength was reduced causing the decrease of %FAME. After used for 3 times, 0.5_Ca/SBA-15_550℃ and impregnation of CaO on SBA-15 gave 92 %FAME and 89 %FAME respectively.