Synthesis of biodiesel by nanoporous catalysts supported alkali metals and its hydroxides

Abstract EN

The alkali metals make up first group of the periodic table.

This family consists of the elements lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr, respectively).

The influence of alkali metals and its hydroxides supported on catalysts prepared SBA-15 for the synthesis of agro or biodiesel fuels from vegetable oil were investigated via heterogeneous catalytic reaction.

The structural and textural features encapsulated Nanoporous Material SBA-15were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDAX, nitrogen adsorption-desorption (BET) and FTIR characterization were also carried out on the catalysts before and after loading.

Mild conditions (atmospheric pressure and 65 C) were chosen for catalytic activity reaction testing in a batch reactor.

The results show that all the catalysts were found active for the esterification reaction of vegetable oil conversion around (85- 94%).

This study shows that the alkali metals and its hydroxides supported catalysts on SBA-15 based catalyst have proven to be a promising one for the transesterification of vegetable oil with methanol.