Application of recycled nickel-oxide nanoparticles for biodiesel synthesis from the non-edible seed oil of Acacia farnesiana

Abstract

The synthesis of NiO nanoparticles and the investigation of their catalytic activity for the synthesis of biodiesel from the non-edible seed oil of Acacia farnesiana were the objectives of this study. Through the use of SEM and XRD, the synthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed and the surface morphology and physical properties were studied too. The fuel properties were examined using ASTM methods, and the results were compared to the accepted ranges defined by ASTM D-6751. The synthesis of biodiesel, as well as the composition and structure of the chemical compounds present were confirmed using different spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, GC-MS, and 1H & 13C NMR). The transesterification method was used to synthesize the biodiesel. The DLS technique was used to determine the nanoparticles’ size (24 nm). Using 1:9 oil-to-methanol ratio, 20 mg of NiO as a catalyst, and a 60 min reaction time, a maximum biodiesel yield of 96% was achieved. According to the SEM result, the surface morphology of NiO changed with repeatedly use, which led to a drop in biodiesel yield from 96% to 82%. The main fuel characteristics of the biodiesel were tested and most of these were found within the range specified by ASTM D-6751.