Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Calcium Oxide/Calcium Ferrite, CaO/CaFe2O4 Composite Nanocatalyst for Biodiesel Production
Tawakalitu AbdulRasheed, Benjamin Afotey, Emmanuel Godwin Ankudey, Daniel Adjah Anang
Abstract
In the current study, CaFe2O4 nanoparticles and CaO/CaFe2O4 composite nanocatalysts were synthesized via auto-combustion techniques utilizing citric acid as a chelant.The solution was first prepared and then subsequently transformed into a gel by combustion at 100°C.The gel was then calcined at 550°C and calcium oxide was loaded using an ultrasonic approach.In particular, the CaO/CaFe2O4 was investigated as potential catalyst for transesterification of waste cooking oil.The catalyst was characterised by methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR).X-ray diffraction and FTIR studies confirmed the successful preparation of CaFe2O4 nanoparticles and CaO/CaFe2O4 composite materials.The optimum values of variables considered in the synthesis of biodiesel were predicted using ANOVA and it was in good agreement with the experimental results.The CaO/CaFe2O4 catalyst (4 wt.%) showed high activity for the transesterification reaction achieving a biodiesel yield of 96.13% after 2 hours at 70 o C and methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 12:1.An excellent stability of the catalyst was achieved demonstrating a high biodiesel yield of 78.5% after five consecutive transesterification cycles.