Highly efficient synthesis of biodiesel catalyzed by a cellulose@hematite-zirconia nanocomposite

Abstract

The depletion of fossil fuels calls for the development of renewable alternatives such as biodiesel and has inspired much research on catalysts for the production of biodiesel through the esterification of biomass-derived materials. Herein, a green heterogeneous catalyst for highly efficient biodiesel synthesis was fabricated from rice straw–derived cellulose, hematite, and zirconia and was shown to contain porous irregularly shaped α-Fe 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 composites (average particle size = 42.5 nm) evenly distributed on the nanocellulose surface. The optimal catalyst (nanocellulose:α-Fe 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 = 2:1, w/w) afforded biodiesel in a yield of 92.50% and with specifications close to those prescribed by international standards. This catalyst could be reused for up to five cycles without a marked activity loss, with the biodiesel yield in the fifth cycle equaling 80.0%. The developed nanocomposite holds great promise for cutting the costs of biodiesel production, as it is derived from biodegradable raw materials and is renewable, non-corrosive, easy to handle, and green. In addition, the large-scale discharge of this catalyst after use does not pose a hazard to the environment.

Effect of calcination temperature induced structural modifications on the photocatalytic efficacy of Fe2O3–ZrO2 nanostructures: mechanochemical synthesis

“…This decrease in the band gap energy is might be due to the increase in the crystallinity and particle size at elevated calcination temperature. 23 The calculated band gap energies, they are found to be less than those reported previously. 24 The difference in the band gap energies for both direct and indirect transitions attributed to the variation particle/crystallite size, which is in accordance with reported literature.…”

Advances in Metal Oxide‐based Nanocatalysts for Biodiesel Production: A Review

“…These catalysts are easily separable from the reacting system and reducing purification cost and process time. Recently in 2021, metal oxide based nanocatalysts such as Cu–Ni doped ZrO 2 , Cellulose/α‐Fe 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 , Eggshell‐derived CaO, CaO/CeO 2 , Na‐SiO 2 /CeO 2 , WO 3 ‐Zr 2 O 3 /CaO, ZnO, SnO 2 /ZnO, Fe/CuO, and Fe 3 O 4 have been successfully utilized in the conversions of renewable triglyceride resources into biodiesel 137–145. Tab.…”

Research of diesel bus performance when using diesel biofuel

“…Проведений аналіз перспективних видів альтернативних палив для двигунів з погляду збереження ресурсів, оптимального використання шкідливих відходів промисловості та покращення техніко-експлуатаційних показників роботи двигунів внутрішнього згорання показав, що одним з можливих рішень є використання палив, отриманих із газової сировини, вугілля та сланців, а також із рослинної або переробленої тваринної сировини [1][2][3][4][5].…”