Green Synthesis of Glycerin Carbonate by Functional, Environmentally Friendly Catalytic Membrane Polyvinyl Alcohol/Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Sodium Methoxide

Abstract Glycerin carbonate, which can be used for multiple purposes in terms of clean and safe energy, is an environmentally friendly and safe electrolyte in Li‐ion batteries and a fuel additive candidate that can reduce harmful emissions in fossil fuels. Green chemical glycerin carbonate was synthesized from dimethyl carbonate and glycerin under mild operation conditions using a recoverable green catalytic membrane. Polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were used as the polymeric matrix and sodium methoxide was used as a base catalyst in the catalytic membrane. TGA, FTIR, SEM, and XRD characterizations were carried out to investigate the thermal resistance and physical and chemical structure of the catalytic membranes. The catalytic activity of the membrane was investigated with batch reactions. Reaction parameters (catalyst amount, temperature, initial molar ratio, and time) affecting the glycerin carbonate yield were investigated. The maximum yield of glycerin carbonate (99.7%) was achieved at 12.5% catalyst amount, 75 °C, DMC/glycerin:3/1 and 180 min. ANOVA analysis was also made using the surface response method with central composite design. It was concluded that the initial molar ratio of DMC/glycerin was the most important factor with the highest F ‐value. The developed green catalytic membrane is a promising material for glycerin carbonate synthesis.