Sustainable Production of Biodiesel from Novel Non-Edible Oil Seeds (Descurainia sophia L.) via Green Nano CeO2 Catalyst

Abstract

The current study focuses on the synthesis of Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanocatalyst via Tragacanth Gum (TG) using the wet impregnation method and its application for sustainable biodiesel production from a novel, non-edible Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl seed oil. The D. sophia seed oil has higher oil content (36 wt%) and free fatty acid (FFA) value (0.6 mg KOH/g). Innovative analytical methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were used to characterize the newly synthesized, environmentally friendly, and recyclable CeO2-TG phytonanocatalyst (FT-IR). The results show that the CeO2-TG phytonanocatalyst was 22 nm in diameter with a spherical shape outer morphology, while the inner structure was hexagonal. Due to low FFA content, the D. sophia seed oil was pretreated and transesterified via a single step. Using varying parameters, the optimized process variables were determined via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimum process values were 8:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 0.3 wt% catalyst concentration, 90 °C temperature, and reaction time of 210 min with 98% biodiesel yield. The recently created phytonanocatalyst was reliable and effective, with three times reusability in the transesterification reaction. Thin layer chromatography (TLC), FT-IR, gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GCMS), and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses were used to characterize the synthesized biodiesel. Physico-chemical properties of D. sophia biodiesel, i.e., Kinematic viscosity (4.23 mm2/s), density (0.800 kg/m3), pour point (−7 °C), cloud point (−12 °C), and flash point (73.5 °C) agree well with international biodiesel standards (ASTM-6751, 951), (EU-14214), and China (GB/T 20828) standards. The results show that the synthesized nanocatalyst demonstrated remarkable stability, indicating a bright future for industrial biodiesel production from low-cost feedstock.

Green synthesis of highly active and recyclable chromium oxide nanocatalyst for biodiesel production from novel nonedible oil seeds

“…The highest biodiesel yield of 92% was achieved under ideal conditions, thus confirming the suitability of feedstock to overcome energy issues. Our work is in line with the reported work done on the vast variety of nonedible oil seeds and green nanocatalysts (Akhtar et al., 2023; Jabeen et al., 2022).…”

Atomically Dispersed Palladium to Enhance the Propyne Semihydrogenation over CeO2 Catalysts

“…TG-DTG analysis was performed for the spent Pd 0.1 /r-CeO 2 catalyst to investigate the possible deposition of green oil on the catalyst during the 55 h test. Figure S13 shows the TG-DTG profiles, in which the peak at the position lower than 100 °C is associated with the evaporation of physiosorbed water on the sample and the peak at around 450 °C is attributed to the water of crystallization CeO 2 ·H 2 O evaporation . More importantly, a peak at 200–350 °C ascribed to decomposition of hydrocarbons are observed in the DTG profile, , and the corresponding weight loss at this region is as low as 1.5%, suggesting the negligible formation of green oil on the catalyst compared with that reported in the literature .…”

A Review on Biodiesel Production, Analysis, and Emission Characteristics from Non‐Edible Feedstocks

“…[164] TLC involves applying a sample combination to a plate coated with a thin layer of silica or alumina, and then separating the components of the mixture depending on their molecular properties. [111] Next, a developing solvent and an appropriate detection method, such as UV light, are used to visualize the components that have been separated. TLC can be used to determine whether or not biodiesel has the primary components (mono-alkyl esters) and whether or not it contains impurities (such as FFA and soap).…”

“…Due to its ease of use, low cost, and ability to yield both qualitative and semi‐quantitative data, TLC is a popular method for assessing biodiesel [164] . TLC involves applying a sample combination to a plate coated with a thin layer of silica or alumina, and then separating the components of the mixture depending on their molecular properties [111] . Next, a developing solvent and an appropriate detection method, such as UV light, are used to visualize the components that have been separated.…”

“…[109,110] Usually occurring between 60 and 80 degrees Celsius, the transester-ification reaction can be finished in a few hours time at these high temperatures. [111] The optimal operating settings for the lab scale reactor used to produce biodiesel are shown in Figure 3. Biodiesel yield and quality are affected by reaction circumstances such catalyst type and concentration, alcohol to oil ratio, and reaction temperature.…”