Preparation, kinetic and thermodynamic studies of Al-Sr nanocatalysts for biodiesel production

The novel Al-Sr nanocatalysts were prepared via co-precipitation method and tested for biodiesel production from sunflower oil. This research investigates the effect of different Al/Sr molar ratio on the catalytic performance. The effect of calcination conditions was investigated and it was found that the catalyst calcined at 600 degrees C for 5 h is optimal catalyst. The best operational conditions were the CH3OH/oil =12/1 at 65 degrees C with mechanical stirring 500 rpm for 300 min. Furthermore, the optimal nano catalyst showed high catalytic activity for biodiesel production and the biodiesel yield reached 96.8% under the optimal conditions. From the TPD results, the high basicity of catalysts enabled high yield of biodiesel was obtained. Also from the kinetic and thermodynamic studies, Ea = 72.86 kJ mol(-1), A=3.38 x 10(7) s(-1), Delta H =215.02 kJ mol(-1) and Delta S=662.70 J mol(-1)K(-1) were obtained. Characterization of catalysts was carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and N-2 adsorption-desorption measurement methods. (C) 2016 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.