Catalytic Behaviour of Heterogeneous Catalyst CuO-Al CuO 2O3 for Biodiesel Production C. Karthikeyan*, *, and S. Karuppuchamy* Department of Energy Science, Alagappa University, Karaikudi,, Tamilnadu, India
Introduction
Graphical Abstract
Nanostructured Cu, CuO and Cu2O based materials were widely used as a catalyst in several applications owing to their unique physical, chemical properties. Nowadays, biodiesel has received momentous attention as a bio-fuel due to its biodegradable, renewable, non-toxic and more environmentally benign nature as 55.7 %
compared with the fossil fuels. Biodiesel has been synthesized from variety of renewable sources like animal
As-prepared CuO-Al2O3
Pongamia Oil + CH3OH
fats, vegetable oil, waste oil and algae oil by the chemical process of transesterification reaction.
78.5 %
In this work we have synthesized nanostructured CuO-Al2O3 catalyst and investigated its catalytic activity for the biodiesel production.
Experimental Procedure
Calcined CuO-Al2O3
Synthesis of CuO-Al2O3
Synthesis of Biodiesel
Cu & Al Precursor
Biodiesel Pongamia Oil Na2CO3 & NaOH
CH3OH
Mixture of Methyl Esters
pH 7 to 10
CuO-Al2O3 Washing
CuO-Al2O3 Nanopowder
Precipitate
Glycerol
Transesterification
Dried at 110oC
SEM
Results & Discussion XRD
IR FT-IR
Magnetic Stirrer
Conclusion Nanostructured CuO-Al2O3 was successfully synthesized by co-precipitation precipitation method at constant pH Calcination played a significant role in modifying the catalytic properties of the synthesized materials. XRD analysis reveals the formation of nanostructured Cu-Al mixed oxides with hexagonal phase. The SEM image of CuO-Al2O3 catalyst clearly shows nanosphere morphology with agglomeration of nanoparticles. The maximum biodiesel conversion efficiency of 78.5% was achieved using the newly synthesized catalyst.
As-prepared CuO-Al2O3 (2:1)
As-prepared CuO-Al2O3(3:1)
Calcined CuO-Al2O3 (2:1)
Calcined CuO-Al2O3(3:1)