Enhancement of Biodiesel Production from Chicken Fat Using MgO and MgO@Na<sub>2</sub>O Nanocatalysts
Fariba Bahador, Rauf Foroutan, Ehsan Nourafkan, Seyed Jamaleddin Peighambardoust, Hossein Esmaeili
Abstract
Abstract Biodiesel was produced from chicken fat in the presence of MgO and MgO@Na 2 O nanocatalysts via transesterification. The characteristics of MgO and MgO@Na 2 O were examined using various analyses, including BET specific surface areas, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy/mapping scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The maximum yields of biodiesel production using MgO and MgO@Na 2 O nano‐catalysts were 95.17 and 95.22 %, respectively, which are significant biodiesel yields. 1 H NMR analysis was used to determine the molecular structure of the chicken fat oil and the produced biodiesel. Furthermore, the reusability of the catalysts was examined for up to six steps, showing that both catalysts can be used for up to four steps in biodiesel production.