Characteristic studies on sustainable upgraded bio-oil produced using green TiO2/AlSBA-15 nano composite

The march towards electric vehicles have commenced, but still, this would be deadly to already existing vehicles. The research in bioliquid fuels is yet to be uncompromised and a proper fuel would be a head turner. This work focuses on the in-situ synthesis of composite material TiO2/AlSBA-15 (10%-60%) where nano TiO2 is made using organic reducing agent; lemon peel extract. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, BET, N-2 sorption studies, SEM, EDX, and TEM analysis. SEM pictures displayed the uniform coating of TiO2 over SBA-15 and hence the catalyst is termed as core-shell model. Pyrolyzed used cooking oil (UCO) was further reformed by upgrading by prepared catalysts. TiO2/SBA-15--30% exhibited best activity than the precursor materials by converting 97.7% of UCO into 89.9% of condensable liquids, and the GC MS analysis of the fuel revealed the presence of 91.3% of gasoline range hydrocarbons. The NMR spectra showed the presence of alkyl groups, aromatic alkanes, iso & n-paraffins. The characteristics of the prepared bioliquid light fuel was studied to understand its features such as calorific value, flash & fire point, pour & cloud point. The biofuel produced showed remarkably high calorific value (48.7 MJ/Kg) and least viscosity (1.9 Cst).

Automated summary

The development of electric vehicles poses a threat to existing vehicles. Research on bioliquid fuels is still compromised, and finding a suitable fuel is crucial. This study focuses on the synthesis of TiO2/AlSBA-15 composite material using lemon peel extract as an organic reducing agent. The catalyst was characterized and showed promising activity in converting used cooking oil into condensable liquids with high gasoline range hydrocarbon content.