Catalytic synthesis of biodiesel from pongamia glabra over zirconia and its modified forms

Abstract

Zirconia & its modified forms such as Mo(VI)/ZrO2, Pt-SO42−/ZrO2, MgO & MgO-ZrO2 mixed oxide were prepared by impregnation method. These catalysts were analyzed for surface acidity, surface basicity and crystallinity by using techniques such as TPD & powder X-ray diffraction. Mo(VI)/ZrO2, Pt-SO42−/ZrO2 were used as solid acid catalysts for esterification of pongamia glabra (karanja) oil to reduce the concentration of free fatty acid and MgO and MgO-ZrO2 mixed oxide were used as solid base catalysts for transesterification of karanja oil to produce biodiesel. These zirconia catalysts were found to be highly efficient for the synthesis of biodiesel with more than 90% yield of biodiesel. These solid catalysts can be effectively reactivated and reused.