Abstract
The present study describes the production of biodiesel from castor plant (Riccinus communis) using heterogeneous base catalyst of NaOH dispersed on bentonite. The catalysts were prepared via wet impregnation by loading a known amount of NaOH on natural bentonite in various NaOH-to-bentonite ratios of 5 %, 10 %, 20 %, and 25 % (w/w). The prepared catalysts were characterized by AAS, FTIR, XRD, GSA, and SEM; and further used in a transesterification reaction at 60 °C for 4 h. The liquid yields were analyzed by FTIR and GC–MS, 1H NMR, and ASTM. The modification of a larger concentration of NaOH led to decreasing the mineral structure of natural bentonite. The homogeneous distribution of NaOH on bentonite influenced the increasing pore size of catalyst compared to natural bentonite. The enhanced physicochemical properties significantly increased the catalytic activity. The transesterification reaction of castor oil into biodiesel over 25 % NaOH/bentonite catalyst showed the highest conversion of 76.94 % biodiesel yield. The obtained biodiesel properties was agreed with the ASTM standard specifications.
Published Version
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