Use of Powdered Cordierite as a Transesterification Catalyst in Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Palm Biodiesel

Abstract

An important phase of the MgO-SiO2-Al2O3 system, α-cordierite was studied for its catalytic transesterification activity in preparing palm biodiesel. The prime drawback of such solid catalyst is its low activity. To overcome this problem, the transesterification was combined with microwave irradiation. The effect of reaction time and catalyst loading on biodiesel yield was investigated in a batch reaction mode. The synthesis of biodiesel was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. It reveals that an enhanced yield of biodiesel was obtained, whereas the maximum yield was reached in less than 30 min regardless the catalyst loading. As a solid type catalyst, this result becomes a platform to develop the flow mode reaction unit using a cordierite based structured catalyst without modifying surface chemistry of cordierite.