Sulphated zirconia, an efficient solid acid catalyst for transesterification of triglycerides

Sulphated zirconia, one of the most efficient solid acid catalysts, has been explored in present studies for transesterification reaction. The catalyst was synthesized by conventional precipitation method and characterized XRD, TGA, FTIR total acidity. exhibits excellent activity model triglyceride triacetin as well Jatropha oil with high selectivity towards formation monoalkyl esters. Influence various reaction parameters such triglyceride/alcohol molar ratio, amount, temperature time on catalytic performance were studied over triglyceride. maximum 96 % yield methyl acetate achieved 3 hours at 10 wt% loading to methanol ratio 1:15 70o C temperature. kinetic also done found that follows first order kinetics rates are not mass transfer limited. optimized extended biodiesel synthesis from FAME 82 could be successfully achieved. Hence, zirconia is a promising heterogeneous triglycerides, which more productive environment-friendly compared homogeneous transesterification. Copyright © 2017 VBRI Press.