Synthesis of Mussel Shell based CaO Nano-Catalysts Doped with Praseodymium to Optimize Biodiesel Production from Castor Oil /

Abstract

Excessive use of fossil fuels due to increased energy demand globally has caused a massive decrease in their quantity as well as environmental destruction and global warming. Production of greener, emission free biofuels play significant role in energy production through biochemical or thermochemical processes using castor oil for biodiesel production. This study reports the synthesis of Pr doped mussel shell-based Pr-CaO catalyst for transesterification reaction. The characterization of catalysts was carried out through X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and TGA. Sharp characterization peaks were observed through XRD results while the crystal size was 23.56 nm for CaO and 15.78 nm for 7% Pr-CaO. The SEM characterization of the catalyst depicts flower structure of 7% Pr doped catalyst with an average crystallite size of < 16 nm and thermal stability below 900 °C. Catalyst testing has been done according to ASTM standards for castor oil biodiesel production and found to be within specifications. The obtained catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity for biodiesel production through transesterification of castor oil and methanol. Flashpoint of CaO was and Pr doped CaO was with a FAME yield of 80% and 87.42% respectively through 7% Pr-CaO mixed oxide catalyst at optimum reaction conditions (i.e., 2.5 wt.% catalyst, methanol to oil ratio of 8:1 and 65 °C) while the yield of FAME obtained through undoped, calcined CaO was about 80%.