Development of Functionalized Heterogeneous Catalyst from Ceiba pentandra Stalk for Biodiesel Production Using Sterculia foetida Seed Oil

摘要

An attempt is made to develop a new carbon-based solid acid catalyst, processed through sulfonation of carbonized Ceiba pentandra stalks. C. pentandra catalyzes Sterculia foe-tida oil through esterification and transesterification simultaneously. Physical and chemical characteristics of this novel catalyst had been analyzed by a range of strategies like Scanning Electron Microscope, Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. During the optimization study, an optimal yield of 97 wt % was obtained using 18:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 35 wt % catalyst concentration and reaction temperature of 498 K. The fuel properties of the produced biodiesel were evaluated and compared with ASTM D6751 biodiesel standard.