Sodium aluminate from waste aluminium source as catalyst for the transesterification of Jatropha oil

Abstract

Sodium aluminate is prepared from waste aluminium foils following an easy and low cost method. The crystalline NaAlO₂ was found to have a uniform and highly porous morphology as revealed from the various characterization techniques. The developed catalyst showed high efficiency in the production of biodiesel from Jatropha oil. The reaction parameters were varied to find out suitable conditions for the transesterification reaction. The catalyst showed heterogeneity in methanol and is found to be reusable.