Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate over waste eggshell catalyst

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.