Application of β-MnO₂ nanorods as catalyst in single step production of biodiesel from palm oil

ABSTRACT

Fatty acid methyl ester, which is known as biodiesel obtained from vegetable oils, has been considered as a promising remedy for fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. In the present research, fatty acid methyl ester is produced by transesterification of palm oil using β-MnO₂ nano rods. The catalyst was synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, and scanning electron microscope analysis. Catalyst activity towards transesterification of palm oil was examined. The reaction parameters were optimized by the classical method and were found to be 60°C, 0.5% catalyst, and methanol to oil molar ratio of 9:1. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies were also performed.

KEYWORDS:

• Biodiesel
• kinetics
• nano rods
• thermodynamics
• transesterification