Synthesis of sulfonated mesoporous carbon from Calophyllum inophyllum oil cake as heterogeneous transesterification catalyst for biodiesel production: a process optimization study

Abstract

ABSTRACT To address the concern of depleting resources and forge ahead toward sustainability, new renewable materials are being explored for multifarious applications. In this present study, sulfonated mesoporous carbon was synthesized using Calophyllum inophyllum oil cake by the process of carbonization, hydrothermal treatment, and KOH activation. Sulfonation of mesoporous carbon was characterized by BET, SEM, TEM, and FTIR. N2 gas adsorption-desorption studies were performed with the synthesized solid sulfonated catalyst and the total surface area, average pore volume, and diameter were estimated to be 618.3 m2 /g, 0.72 cm3 /g, and 5.27 nm respectively. The activated mesoporous carbon was then used in the catalysis of the transesterification reaction using Calophyllum inophyllum oil as a reactant. Finally, the biodiesel yield was found to be 93.2% with methanol: oil molar ratio of 1:14, the temperature of reaction 60°C, and 1.5 (wt %) of mesoporous catalyst.