Heterogeneous Catalysis of Biodiesel Production by Corn Oil Transesterification using a Calcium Oxide - Cd Al LDH Composite Synthesized via RDF

Abstract

In this study, a CdAl LDH precursor synthesized by RDF was impregnated with calcium nitrate and calcinated to obtain Ca/CdAl oxide. This was used as a heterogeneous base catalyst in the transesterification of corn oil with methanol for the purpose of biodiesel production. The catalyst was characterized by SEM/EDX, powder XRD, and BET nitrogen adsorption-desorption technique. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out on its LDH precursor. Transesterification reactions were carried out using the prepared catalyst and commercially obtained calcium oxide to compare their activity in the reaction. Proton NMR was used to examine the obtained biodiesel product. The fatty acid methyl ester yield was measured under a series of different reaction durations, with a 4wt% catalyst loading at 11:1 methanol:oil ratio at 62°C. The optimal biodiesel yield was determined to be 93%. The Ca/CdAl oxide catalyst was also tested in the transesterification of waste cooking oil, where a 72.4% yield was observed.