Characterization and Catalytic Evaluation of Cu-Ni Catalysts Supported on Activated Carbon in the Acetylation of Glycerol

Abstract Malaysia’s biodiesel production is rapidly increasing, resulting in an excess of crude glycerol that has limited usage in local industries. Based on the present circumstances, converting glycerol into higher-value products like acetin through acetylation is a beneficial alternative. In the presence of suitable catalysts, the acetylation of glycerol with acetic acid yields three distinct varieties of acetins which are monoacetin (MA), diacetin (DA), and triacetin (TA). Monometallic and bimetallic catalysts copper and nickel deposited on activated carbon were prepared via wet impregnation method. Catalyst properties were investigated by various techniques such as FT-IR, SEM-EDX, BET and NH3-TPD. The acetylation reaction was carried out in a 250 mL double neck round bottom flask at 90 °C for 60 minutes. Copper-Nickel incorporated activated carbon has shown higher activity for glycerol conversion (94.5%) and higher selectivity towards monoacetin and diacetin.