Insight into the catalytic transformation of the waste products of some edible oils (corn oil and palm oil) into biodiesel using MgO/clinoptilolite green nanocomposite

The urgent demand for renewable, eco-friendly and safe energy resources rather than traditional fossil fuels is the most critical issue encountering in the contemporary world. The urgent demand for renewable, eco-friendly and safe energy resources rather than traditional fossil fuels is the most critical issue encountering in the contemporary world. Clinoptilolite decorated with nano MgO (MgO/CP) was synthesized as advanced hybrid structure by alkali green modification process using green tea extract. It showed significant enhancement in the surface area (324.5 m(2)/g), ion exchange capacity (141.5 meq/100 g), and the total basicity (4.34 mmol OH/g) which qualifies the composite as a potential basic catalyst in the transesterification reactions. The MgO/CP catalyst was applied in the transesterification of used corn oil and palm oil. The composite is of promising activity and achieved biodiesel yield of 94 % from corn oil after 120 min using 4 wt., % of it as catalyst load and 15:1 as methanol-to-oil ratio at 60 degrees C and stirring speed of 1250 rpm. For palm oil, the catalyst achieved a yield of 97.6 % after 150 min using 4 wt., % of it as catalyst load and 20:1 as methanol-to-oil ratio at 70 degrees C and stirring speed of 1250 rpm. The recyclability properties of MgO/CP green nanocomposite as basic catalyst validated significant reusing of it in the transesterification of both corn oil and palm oil with high yields. The extracted biodiesel from corn oil and palm oil matches strongly the recommended limitations by ASTM D-6751 and EN 14214 standards.

Automated summary

The urgent demand for renewable, eco-friendly and safe energy resources instead of traditional fossil fuels is the most critical issue facing the contemporary world. This study synthesized Clinoptilolite decorated with nano MgO as a potential basic catalyst, which showed significant enhancement in surface area, ion exchange capacity, and total basicity, achieving high yields of biodiesel from corn oil and palm oil that meet international standards.