Lithium Ions-Supported Magnesium Oxide as Nano-Sized Solid Catalyst for Biodiesel Preparation from Mutton Fat

The present work demonstrates the preparation of lithium ion impregnated magnesium oxide as a solid catalyst for the transesterification of mutton fat to produce biodiesel. The basic strengths of the prepared catalysts were determined by Hammett indicators, crystalline phase and particle size by powder X-ray diffraction studies, and surface morphology by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. The catalyst loaded with 5 wt% Li in MgO support and calcined at 250 degrees C exists in nanosized form with an average particle size of about 17 nm, possesses the highest basic strength, and was also found to show the best catalytic activity among the prepared catalysts. A 5 wt% (catalyst/fat) of the same catalyst was found to complete the transesterification of mutton fat with methanol (1:12, m/m) in 40 min at 65 degrees C. The homogeneous contribution of the catalyst has been evaluated and it was found that the entire catalytic activity is due to the solid catalyst and not due to Li+ leached from the catalyst support. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects for the following free supplemental resource: a file containing Figures S1S3.]