Synthesis of Mn-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles and Their Application in the Transesterification of Castor Oil

Alarming environmental changes and the threat of natural fuel resource extinction are concerning issues in human development. This has increased scientists’ efforts to phase out traditional energy resources move on environmentally friendly biofuels. In this study, non-edible castor oil was transesterified with methanol using a manganese-doped zinc oxide (Mn-doped ZnO) nanocatalyst. A heterogeneous nanocatalyst prepared by means sonochemical method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used characterize these nanocatalysts. The transesterification reaction studied under different temperature conditions, ratios methyl alcohol oil, amounts catalyst identify optimum conditions which maximum yield biodiesel produced. (90.3%) observed at 55 °C an oil-to-methanol ratio 1:12, 1.2 g first-order kinetic model found be most suitable. Several thermodynamic parameters also determined, such as activation energy, enthalpy, entropy. We that endergonic entropy-driven reaction. results showed Mn-doped ZnO could suitable for catalytic process, is essential production.