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Synthesis and characterization of monk fruit seed ( Siraitia grosvenorii )‐based heterogeneous acid catalyst for biodiesel production through esterification process
Author(s) -
Lim Steven,
Pang Yean Ling,
Shuit Siew Hoong,
Wong Kam Huei,
Leong Chee Keen
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.5007
Subject(s) - catalysis , biodiesel , biodiesel production , yield (engineering) , chemistry , transesterification , fatty acid methyl ester , organic chemistry , palmitic acid , silane , carbonization , materials science , chemical engineering , fatty acid , adsorption , composite material , engineering
Summary This research investigated for the first time the synthesis of monk fruit seed ( Siraitia grosvenorii )‐based solid acid catalyst for biodiesel production. The catalyst was synthesized using a two‐step surface functionalization method with trimethoxy phenyl silane and chlorosulfonic acid. The as‐synthesized catalyst was characterized to ascertain its catalytic characteristics through surface morphology, chemical bonding, and thermal stability. The effects of activating agent impregnation ratio, carbonization temperature, and sulfonation temperature towards fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield were elucidated. The esterification reaction with palmitic acid was found to produce FAME yield up to 98.5% with 4 wt.% catalyst loading, 6‐h reaction duration and 120°C reaction temperature. The catalyst also demonstrated high reusability with 84.4% FAME yield being successfully maintained after four successive cycles without reactivation. These proved that the as‐synthesized catalyst had high prospect to become a suitable low‐cost alternative for biodiesel production through catalytic esterification process in the future.