Catalyst Derived from Biomass for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

This research studied sulfonic carbonbase (C-SO₃H) derived from biomass (rice straw, corn cob and pineapple leaf) for biodiesel production. The carbon solid acid catalysts from biomass were prepared via a three-step reaction; (1) hydrolysis, (2) carbonization and (3) sulfonation reaction. It was found that sulfonic acid (-SO₃H) from rice straw showed the highest acid density at 0.4019 mmol/g. FTIR results of three catalysts showed that sulfonation on biomass carbon produced a based solid acid containing three functional acid site: -SO₃H group, –COOH group and -OH group.The surface area and pore size of all catalysts were investigated by BET. C-SO₃H from rice straw showed the highest surface area (241.53 m²/g) and the pore size were 3.14 nm. The catalyst activity of the C-SO₃H from rice straw was evaluated using esterification of methanol with oleic acid. The molar ratio of oleic acid to methanol (1:9), the catalyst amount         5 wt%, temperature reaction at 65^oC for 4 hrs produced 88% of high conversion of methyl oleate (biodiesel).