RT Journal Article
T1 Optimized bifunctional CuNiMgAl catalysts for efficient synthesis of the renewable bioproduct glycerol carbonate
A1 Argüello, Dalma S.
A1 Barroso-Martín, Isabel
A1 Bálsamo, Nancy F.
A1 Eimer, Griselda A.
A1 Crivello, Mónica E.
A1 Rodríguez-Castellón, Enrique
K1 Productos biológicos
K1 Energía de biomasa
AB This paper presents a novel technology for converting glycerol, a byproduct of the biodieselindustry, into glycerol carbonate, a high-value bioproduct. The effect of calcination temperature onthe synthesis of quaternary Cu-Ni-Mg-Al catalysts (MMO-Cu15Ni15-Tz) and their application in thetransesterification reaction was investigated. Glycerol conversion remained largely unaffected bycalcination temperature; however, selectivity toward glycerol carbonate was influenced. Physicochemicalanalyses showed increased crystallinity and spinel phase formation with higher calcination temperatures,resulting in lower oxide dispersion and decreased specific surface area. Nonetheless, the preservationof nanolayer morphology and increased pore diameter maintained high conversion rates at elevatedtemperatures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed Cu2+ interactions with the MgAl matrixand the formation of a solid solution. Ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance (UV-visible DR) spectroscopyindicated the dominance of octahedrally coordinated Cu2+ and spinel phases at the highest temperature.The MMO-Cu15Ni15-T450 catalyst exhibited the highest concentration of strong basic sites and the lowestconcentration of very strong basic sites. Acid–base characterization suggested that very strong basic sitesand abundant acid sites promote glycidol formation by glycerol carbonate decarboxylation. Calcination at 450 °C was identified as optimal, maximizing glycerol carbonate yield while minimizing byproduct formation. This work supports a biorefinery approach aligned with circular economy principles to reducethe environmental impact of biodiesel production through the use of cost-effective catalysts and efficient processes.
PB Wiley
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/39538
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/39538
LA eng
NO Argüello, D.S., Barroso-Martín, I., Bálsamo, N.F., Eimer, G.A., Crivello, M.E. and Rodríguez-Castellón, E. (2025), Optimized bifunctional CuNiMgAl catalysts for efficient synthesis of the renewable bioproduct glycerol carbonate. Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref.. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.70008
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 19 ene 2026