Biodiesel production using prepared novel surface functionalised TiO2 nano-catalyst in hydrodynamic cavitation reactor

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In this present research work, a way to prepare TiO2-Cu2O nanoparticles composites and its the catalytic activity for the preparation of biodiesel from thumba oil under hydrodynamic cavitation method is reported. Firstly, TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by ultrasonic-assisted sol-gel method using titanium tetra-isopropoxide (TTIP) as a precursor. TiO2-Cu2O nanoparticles composites were prepared by an electrochemical method and the properties were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Prepared TiO2-Cu2O nanoparticles were effectively used as a catalyst in the synthesis of Thumba ethyl ester (Biodiesel) by a transesterification reaction between thumba oil and ethanol in hydrodynamic cavitation reactor. The effect of system geometry and inlet pressure on the conversion of triglycerides has been reported. The effect of parameter showed that more than 60% conversion of TG can be obtained with orifice plate of 2 mm hole diameter and 20 no of holes at optimum values of 80 °C in 1 h with 1:6 oil to methanol molar ratio and catalyst concentration of 1.6% in the oil. The prepared TiO2-Cu2O nanoparticles were useful for the biodiesel production up to 60% conversion of triglycerides from thumba oil in hydrodynamic cavitation reactor.