Sustainable hollow spherical CaO derived from waste eggshells for transesterification of lard: Catalytic characterization, performance and thermodynamics

Yawei Wang, Chao He, Gang Li, Xinxin Liu, Liang Liu and Youzhou Jiao

Renewable Energy, 2025, vol. 250, issue C

Abstract: This study presents a novel method for synthesizing a highly efficient hollow spherical CaO catalyst derived from waste eggshells. The catalyst was prepared through soft template method and thermal treatment under controlled nitrogen atmosphere, yielding a unique hollow spherical structure that significantly enhances catalytic activity. The catalyst characterization was performed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and N2 adsorption-desorption. The results showed that the hollow spherical textural catalysts with specific surface area of 4.3 m2 g−1 were obtained at Ca2+ concentration of 0.05 mol L−1, and possessed excellent catalytic performance in the preparation of biodiesel by transesterification of lard with anhydrous methanol. An exceptional biodiesel yield of 96.41 % was achieved under optimized conditions of catalyst concentration of 2 wt%, reaction temperature of 65 °C, methanol/oil molar ratio of 12:1, and reaction time of 120 min. This catalyst exhibited longer lifespan and significant catalytic activity (Biodiesel yield >89.65 %) after being used for four cycles. The transesterification obeyed the pseudo-first-order kinetics with an activation energy of 53.23 kJ mol−1 for the hollow CaO catalyst. This approach sets itself apart from previous methods by employing sustainable, low-cost materials and achieving high reusability, advancing the field of renewable energy with minimal environmental impact.

Keywords: Eggshells; Hollow spherical; CaO catalyst; Lard; Biodiesel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:250:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125009644

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123302

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