Synthesis and characterization of sulfated hierarchical nanoporous faujasite zeolite for efficient transesterification of shea butter. (20th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alaba, Peter Adeniyi; Sani, Yahaya Muhammad; Mohammed, Isah Yakub; Abakr, Yousif Abdalla; Daud, Wan Mohd Ashri Wan
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 142:Part 4(2017)
• Page Start: 1987
• Page End: 1993
• Publication Date: 2017-01-20
• Subjects: Kaolin -- Superacid -- Sulfated -- Hierarchical zeolite -- Shea butter -- Biodiesel; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, the transesterification of shea butter with MeOH over sulfated hierarchical nanoporous Faujasite zeolite catalysts to produce biodiesel was studied. The sulfated faujasite zeolite was prepared from kaolin as the zeolite precursor and sulfuric acid as sulfate precursor. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show the successful anchoring of sulfate ions onto the faujasite zeolite. There was a remarkable improvement in the porosity and acid strength of the faujasite zeolite upon sulfation, though with a small reduction in density due to dealumination, which enhanced the stability. The synthesized sulfated zeolite is efficient for transesterification of shea butter and gives biodiesel yield of 96.89% at 200 °C, 5:1 MeOH/oil, and 5 wt% catalyst for 3 h. The sulfated zeolite is stable after four consecutive cycle for a reaction that proceeds at 200 °C, 5:1 MeOH/oil, 5 w% catalyst for 3 h and gave 90.76 w% in the first cycle while unsulfated zeolite gave a yield of 72.42% at the same condition due to diffusion limitation, crystal size and lower acid strength. This indicates that both pore structure and acid strength decide the activity of solid acids catalysts in biodiesel production. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Sulfated hierarchical mesoporous HY zeolite (SHY) was prepared from kaolionite. The super acidity of the samples were confirmed through NH3 -TPD analysis. SHY is more active than HY zeolite towards efficient biodiesel production. The superior activity of SHY is due to its super acidity and enhanced porosity.