US EPA

1447113 

Journal Article 

Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate over waste eggshell catalyst 

Gao, Y; Xu, C 

2012 

Yes 

Catalysis Today
ISSN: 0920-5861 

190 

1 

107-111 

10.1016/j.cattod.2011.12.004 

WOS:000306358100014 

Dimethyl carbonate is an important methylating and
carbonylating agent. Eggshell catalysts, prepared from eggshell waste, were tested in the
synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from propylene carbonate and methanol. The eggshell-derived
catalyst was characterized by using techniques of nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction
(XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The
effects of calcination temperature on structure and activity of eggshell catalysts were
investigated. The reusability of eggshell catalysts was also examined. It was found that highly
active, reusable solid catalyst was obtained by just calcining eggshell. Dimethyl carbonate yield
of 75% can be achieved at 25 degrees C and 1 atm pressure. Utilization of eggshell as a catalyst
for dimethyl carbonate production not only provides a cost-effective and environmental friendly
way of recycling this solid eggshell waste, but also makes the process of dimethyl carbonate
production economic and fully ecologically friendly. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 

Transesterification; Dimethyl carbonate; Environmental chemistry; Heterogeneous catalysis; Eggshell waste