SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Ni-NH2/MESOPOROUS SILICA CATALYST FROM LAPINDO MUD FOR HYDROCRACKING OF WASTE COOKING OIL INTO BIOFUEL

The synthesis and characterization of Ni-NH2/Mesoporous Silica (MS) catalysts from Lapindo mud for the hydrocracking of waste cooking oil into biofuel has been conducted. The MS was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using CTAB as a template. The functionalization of –NH2 into MS was carried out by the grafting method. The Ni metal was loaded into NH2/MS by wet impregnation. The catalytic activity test was done for hydrocracking of waste cooking oil by using the MS, NH2/MS, and Ni-NH2/MS catalysts. The results of the liquid product of the hydrocracking were analyzed by the gravimetric method and GC-MS. The experimental result showed that the liquid products of the hydrocracking using MS, NH2/MS, and Ni-NH2/MS catalysts were 63.95, 70.32, and 66.44 wt.%. The highest selectivity of the gasoline fraction (34.98 wt.%) was produced by the NH2/MS catalyst and the highest diesel oil fraction (1.52 wt.%) was produced by MS. The NH2/MS catalyst was successfully used as a catalyst in the hydrocracking of waste cooking oil into the hydrocarbons (biofuel).