Modification g‐C₃N₄ by MgO and its application for glycerol carbonate synthesis from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate

Abstract

Abstract Glycerol (GLY) as a by‐product in bio‐diesel synthesis should be converted to more valuable compounds. In the present study, MgO/graphitic carbon nitride (MgO/g‐C 3 N 4 ) was synthesized and characterized using several techniques, including FESEM, Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, TEM, and CO 2 ‐TPD. The MgO/g‐C 3 N 4 catalysts illustrated high catalytic activity compared with pure g‐C 3 N 4 and MgO for conversion of glycerol to glycerol carbonate (GC) through transesterification reaction between GLY and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). According to the results, the optimum reaction conditions were: reaction time of 4 h, reaction temperature of 80°C, molar ratio of reactants (DMC:GLY) 3:1, and MgO/C 3 N 4 catalyst dosage of 30 mg. The catalyst with a certain ratio of MgO:g‐C 3 N 4 = 6:1 showed the maximum GC yield of 95.47% at 80°C and good reusability. The simple preparation method, good catalytic activity, and reusability of the catalyst shows capability of this catalytic system on an industrial scale.