Nanocomposite of Cellulose-ZnO/SiO_2 as Catalyst Biodiesel Methyl Ester from Virgin Coconut Oil

摘要

A nanocomposite from cellulose-ZnO/SiO_2 has been successfully synthesized. Cellulose derived from rice husk has been converted into nanocellulose, then used as nanocomposite support material. Nanosilica is derived from calcination of rice husk ash as filler which combined with ZnO nanoparticle. The combination of ZnO/SiO_2 composite with nanocellulose biopolymers, a form of cellulose-ZnO/SiO_2 nanocomposite. The success of this work is supported by characterization with FTIR, XRD, and SEM-mapping. The distribution for each element of the SEM-mapping shows the Si element as filler in the pores and spread on the cellulose surfaces and the element of ZnO distributed evenly throughout the surface of cellulose and silica. The nanocomposite was applied as heterogeneous catalyst for transesterification of virgin coconut oil into biodiesel methyl ester. The optimum reaction time at 270 minutes and temperature at 60 °C obtained the methyl ester yield at 95 %. Application of nanocomposite-based biopolymers as heterogeneous catalysts for transesterification of virgin coconut oil into biodiesel methyl esters was succeeded, and promising for catalysts in the future.