RHS-doped FAU Zeolite-Y Catalyst Synthesis for Transesterification of Jatropha oil

Abstract

This study investigated the synthesis of faujasite zeolite catalysts from
aluminosilicate-containing natural sediments modified by biowaste silica in the
catalysis of transesterification of jatropha oil. Zeolite was synthesized by the
hydrothermal method with NaOH at 3.07g/mol, SiO2 at 10.50g/mol, and Al2O3 at
2.61g/mol were the optimum amount required in the synthesis of a zeolite-Y in an
autoclave. Transesterification reaction was conducted on constant temperature
magnetic stirrer fitted with a reflux condenser. Functional group study of
synthesized zeolite revealed that silicone (Si – O – Si) was highly prevalent at
1095.8cm-1 in IR spectrum. XRD and EDS examination showed a faujasite zeolite-
Y with Si at 85.60g and Al at 17.50g with Si/Al ratio of 4.891g/mol. The synthesized
zeolite catalysis in transesterification reaction yielded 91.63% biodiesel which had
0.17% FFA. Biodiesel characteristics met ASTM standard having kinematic
viscosity of 4.97mm2/s and flashpoint of 113°C. The fatty acid profile showed that
fatty acid constituent was mostly linoleic acid methyl ester (30.29%) and
hexadecanoic acid (20.81%), from GCMS analysis. The synthesized faujasite
zeolite-Y, with its large mesoporous structure, exhibits remarkable catalytic
activity in the transesterification of jatropha oil to produce biodiesel.