Synthesis and application of Quintinite-3T nano catalyst along with KOH for biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas oil and used cooking oil

Abstract

In this study, we reported the preparation of Quintinite-3T (Q-3T) and its use as a productive efficient/effective heterogeneous catalyst for the production of biodiesel. Quintinite-3T (Q-3T) has been successfully synthesized via the co-precipitation method. Physico-chemical properties of the synthesized catalyst were studied using powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), BET analysis, and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Q-3T exhibited promising utility as a heterogeneous catalyst to transesterify Jatropha curcas oil (JCO) and used cooking oil (UCO) to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). Q-3T catalyst was used with KOH, a co-catalyst to verify its effect on biodiesel production. The effective parameters of the transesterification yield involving reaction time, reaction temperature, and the oil-to-alcohol molar ratio was studied. The maximum yield of 82% for biodiesel was reached at ideal conditions, which include a moderate catalyst concentration (2% (w/w) in the ratio 1.2:0.8 (KOH: Q-3T), at a low temperature and relatively short reaction time of 60° C and 1 h, respectively. Additionally, it is found that the biodiesel’s properties are in good conformity with ASTM D6571 fuel specifications. It is pertinent that the use of Q-3T nanocatalyst as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas oil and used cooking oil could be beneficial.