Transesterification of tree-born oil with novel magnetic biobased heteropolyacid prepared via in-situ reaction

Abstract An active and recyclable magnetic biobased heteropolyacid catalyst (HPW-MCMs) was prepared for the high yield of transesterification of Pistacia chinensis seed oil (PCO). The magnetic cellulose microspheres (MCMs) were used as the supporter, and the phosphotungstic acid (HPW) was synthesized in surface and micropores via in-situ reaction. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and diffraction of X-ray (XRD) were fully used to characterize the catalyst. Furthermore, the conditions of 600 W of microwave power, 65 °C of temperature, 6 wt. % of catalyst amount, 8 of methanol/oil ratio and 30 min of reaction time were selected as the optimal conditions. Under the conditions, a high conversion of 96.6 % could be obtained. The HPW-MCMs could also be recovered conveniently and efficiently recycled for six cycles. Therefore, the prepared HPW-MCMs would be potentially useful for the efficient and economic transesterification reaction of PCO.