Adjustable Brønsted type ionic liquid catalyst based on porous cellulose microspheres for green and efficient catalytic system in transesterification

Realizing high catalytic efficiency and stability always be the core guiding principle and continuous optimization in industrial production. Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) are a key component of biodiesel, serving as a renewable, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional petroleum-based diesel fuel. In this study, a series of novel Brønsted acidic cellulose-based ionic liquids (PCM-ILs) were successfully prepared using cellulose as the raw material through chemical grafting and ionic bonding. These PCM-ILs were first applied to catalyze the transesterification of Pistacia chinensis Bunge seed oil for FAMEs production. PCM-ILs can be tailored by varying anions. Under optimal conditions—methanol/oil ratio (10:1), catalyst (10 wt%), temperature (80 °C), and time (6 h)—the FAME yield reached 98.6 %. In addition, the conversion yield remained above 85 % after the prepared catalyst be recycled for six times. Thus, the development of this straightforward and economically viable cellulose-based assembly opens up innovative avenues for the design of high-performance biocatalysts suitable for industrial applications.