Synthesis of NdAlO3 Nanoparticles and Evaluation of the Catalytic Capacity for Biodiesel Synthesis

Abstract

Biodiesel synthesis was carried out via heterogeneous catalysis of canola oil with nanoparticles of a mixed oxide based on rare earths. The catalyst synthesis (NdAlO3) was carried out based on the method proposed by Pechini for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA) analysis was performed on the nanoparticle precursor gel in order to establish the optimum conditions for its calcination, with these being of 800 °C over 24 h. A pure NdAlO3 compound with an approximate size of 100 nm was obtained. The products of the transesterification reaction were analyzed using gas chromatography, FTIR, and NMR. The optimum reaction conditions were determined, namely, the temperature effect, reaction time, methanol:oil mass ratio, and recyclability of the catalyst. These studies showed the following optimal conditions: 200 °C, 5 h, methanol:oil mass ratio of 6:1, and a constant decrease in the catalytic activity of the catalyst was observed for up to six reuses, which later remained constant at around a 50% conversion rate. The maximum biodiesel yield obtained with the optimum conditions was around 75%. Analysis of the reaction products showed that the residual oil showed a chemical composition different from that of the source oil, and that both the biodiesel and glycerol obtained were of high purity.

Low-cost diatomite supported binary transition metal sulfates: an efficient reusable solid catalyst for biodiesel synthesis

“…[15][16][17] Heterogeneous catalysts, including heterogeneous acids and bases, are considered as a potential alternative because of their easy separation from the reaction mixture, good stability, excellent reactivity and easy recovery. 16,[18][19][20][21] However, waste vegetable oils and fats usually contain high levels of fatty acids due to them becoming rancid during collection and processing. When employing base catalysts, these fatty acids cannot be transformed into fatty acid alkyl esters (biodiesel) by esterication, resulting in low yields.…”

“…15–17 Heterogeneous catalysts, including heterogeneous acids and bases, are considered as a potential alternative because of their easy separation from the reaction mixture, good stability, excellent reactivity and easy recovery. 16,18–21…”

Sonocogreen Decoration of Clinoptilolite by CaO Nanorods as Ecofriendly Catalysts in the Transesterification of Castor Oil into Biodiesel; Response Surface Studies

“… 3 , 17 , 18 They can be produced at low cost, require simple isolation and separation techniques, possess valuable regeneration capacity, are a pure biodiesel product, and exhibit promising ecofriendly properties and no corrosive effect. 16 , 19 , 20 Several heterogeneous catalysts were introduced for the transesterification of castor oil as Ni/doped ZnO, 21 Fe doped ZnO, 22 Li–MgO, 23 Sr–MgO, 24 MgO/MCM-41, 25 and La 2 O 3 -modified Y-zeolite. 26 …”

“…3,17,18 They can be produced at low cost, require simple isolation and separation techniques, possess valuable regeneration capacity, are a pure biodiesel product, and exhibit promising ecofriendly properties and no corrosive effect. 16,19,20 Several heterogeneous catalysts were introduced for the transesterification of castor oil as Ni/doped ZnO, 21 Fe doped ZnO, 22 Li−MgO, 23 Sr−MgO, 24 MgO/ MCM-41, 25 and La 2 O 3 -modified Y-zeolite. 26 T h i s c o n t e n t i s The availability, the production cost, the activity, the dispersion properties, and the safety are the essential points that direct the orientation of the researcher for the commercial production of the heterogeneous catalysts.…”

“…Biodiesel is fatty acid alkyl esters derived mainly from the oil precursors by transesterification reactions in the existence of alcohol and catalyst (homogenous or heterogeneous). , In the later periods, the heterogeneous phases of the used catalysts were preferred for several economic, environmental, and technical considerations. ,, They can be produced at low cost, require simple isolation and separation techniques, possess valuable regeneration capacity, are a pure biodiesel product, and exhibit promising ecofriendly properties and no corrosive effect. ,, Several heterogeneous catalysts were introduced for the transesterification of castor oil as Ni/doped ZnO, Fe doped ZnO, Li–MgO, Sr–MgO, MgO/MCM-41, and La 2 O 3 -modified Y-zeolite …”