Abstract
In this study, Zinc Oxide-co-Sodium Zirconate (ZnO·Na 2 ZrO 3 ) is synthesized utilizing a solid-state method with the aim of performing a fast transesterification of triglycerides contained in soybean oil, to be competitive against the homogeneous process employing caustic soda. This procedure enabled to synthesize a composite catalyst with enhanced properties for this application. The material is characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis isotherms, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled to Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDXS), finding a denser structure with sodium zirconate lamellas collapsed each other, with a surface area of 0.7 m 2 g −1 , and a weight composition close to the theoretical value, without the presence of impurities. Using this composite catalyst, 97% of biodiesel conversion is produced in 15 min at 65 °C (i.e. methanol boiling point), with 4.5 wt% catalyst, methanol: oil molar ratio of 14:1, and stirring speed of 500 rpm, as optimal conditions obtained from a Box-Behnken Experimental Design (BBD) along with a Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The chemical composition of biodiesel is evaluated through FT-IR spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR) measurements. • ZnO·Na 2 ZrO 3 composite presents enhanced transesterification kinetics. • Optimal reaction time for this system was found at 15 min. • Optimum reaction conditions at 4.4 wt% cat, 500RPM, and 14:1 MeOH:Oil ratio. • Conversions of 99% were obtained from soybean oil to FAMEs. • H + transfer between catalytic phases responsible for increased activity.
Published Version
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