Catalytic renovation of non-edible oil to biodiesel production through sulfated Mg-Al2O3 (10) catalysts

Magnesium-alumina (Mg-Al2O3) composite was synthesized by sol-gel method. The SO42- catalyst supported Mg-Al2O3 was prepared by three different methods such as solution, hydrothermal, and vapor phase. The as-synthesized materials were characterized by different physicochemical techniques. The acid sites of Mg-Al2O3 (10) composite were enhanced by depolymerization of triglyceride (jojoba oil) to produce free FFA. Catalyst prepared by hydrothermal methods exhibits high acid sites of 3.44 mmol g(-1) of NH3. Sulfidation of catalysts play a vital role in the catalytic conversion of jojoba oil by methanol activation. SO42-/Mg-Al2O3 (10) catalyst reveals 99% conversion efficiency tested under optimized conditions of jojoba oil to methyl ester (biodiesel). TGA result confirmed the S2/Mg-Al2O3 (10) catalyst is stable upto 800 degrees C and weight loss of 19.2%. The recyclability of the S-2/Mg-Al2O3 (10) catalyst reveals reasonably acceptable conversion efficiency after sixth cycle and this catalyst is found to be suitable for the industrial biodiesel production.

Automated summary

Magnesium-alumina (Mg-Al2O3) composite was synthesized by sol-gel method and supported with SO42- catalyst using different methods. The catalyst prepared by hydrothermal method showed high acid sites. Sulfidation of catalysts played a significant role in the catalytic conversion of jojoba oil, with SO42-/Mg-Al2O3 (10) catalyst achieving 99% conversion efficiency under optimized conditions.