Nanocrystalline Lithium Ion Impregnated Calcium Oxide As Heterogeneous Catalyst for Transesterification of High Moisture Containing Cotton Seed Oil

Abstract

The present work demonstrates the application of nanocrystalline Li+ impregnated CaO as a heterogeneous catalyst for transesterification of used cottonseed oil with a higher amount of moisture. Catalysts with different alkali metal ions were prepared by the wet impregnation method, and their basic strengths were measured by Hammett indicators and a maximum was found in the case of lithium carbonate impregnated CaO. Further characterization of the lithium impregnated catalyst by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies supports the formation of a nanosized catalyst with a particle size of about 50 nm. The same catalyst has been chosen for studying the transesterification reaction of used cotton seed oil with methanol. The variables used for the transesterification were impregnated alkali metal ion, percentage of Li+ impregnation, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature (35−65 °C), oil to methanol molar ratio, reaction time (0.5−8 h), free fatty acid content (up to 6 wt %),...