Synthesis and characterization of sulfated hierarchical nanoporous faujasite zeolite for efficient transesterification of shea butter

Alaba, Peter Adeniyi and Sani, Yahaya Muhammad and Mohammed, Isah Yakub and Abakr, Yousif Abdalla and Daud, Wan Mohd Wan (2017) Synthesis and characterization of sulfated hierarchical nanoporous faujasite zeolite for efficient transesterification of shea butter. Journal of Cleaner Production, 142. pp. 1987-1993.

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Kaolin Superacid Sulfated Hierarchical zeolite Shea butter Biodiesel
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Engineering Sciences
Depositing User:	Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	21 Aug 2018 13:23
Last Modified:	21 Aug 2018 13:23
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/11414

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