Nano sized heterogeneous acid catalyst from Ceiba pentandra stalks for production of biodiesel using extracted oil from Ceiba pentandra seeds

Abstract

Heterogeneous acid catalyst of nano size was prepared by the method of sulfonation of C. pentandra stalks and used to convert C. pentandra seed oil to biodiesel. The structure of the catalyst was characterized and physicochemical properties of extracted oil as well as effects of different preparation conditions on biodiesel yield were investigated. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photograph showed that the catalyst had a porous structure which enhanced the catalytic ability. From the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) analysis, the catalyst specific surface area was 714 m² g⁻¹ and average pore size was 4.8 nm. The optimal triglyceride conversion of 99% was attained at a reaction temperature of 220 °C, methanol to oil ratio of 18 : 1 M and catalyst concentration of 1.5 wt%. Reusability of the catalyst was studied which demonstrates drastic decrease in energy expenditure and waste generation in the production of biodiesel. Biodiesel viscosity was higher whereas other properties were found to be similar to those of commercial diesel oil and compared with ASTM D6751 and EN standards.