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To enhance the synthesis process for biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester, FAME), microwave absorption solid acid catalysts were used for transesterification under microwave radiation. The H 2 SO 4 /C catalyst was prepared by an impregnation method. The surface areas of active carbon and H 2 SO 4 /C were measured by the BET method. Synthesis reactions were carried out under different conditions using castor oil and methanol as the feedstock. The amounts of FAME in the product were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Experimental results showed that the microwave radiation exhibited a notable enhanced effect for transesterification by using the microwave absorption solid acid catalysts (H 2 SO 4 /C) compared with that of the conventional heating method. When the transesterification was carried out at 338 K, with 12:1 molar ratio of methanol to castor oil, 50 wt % loading amounts of H 2 SO 4 and 5 wt % of catalyst to castor oil, after 60 min the yield of FAME 94 wt % was obtained. This method can also be used in the case of castor oil with high free fatty acid.

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