Abstract
Biodiesel production from non-edible oils utilizing a highly efficient eco-friendly catalyst is a crucial necessity for replacing fossil fuels. In the present work, biochar has been applied for both energy and environmental purposes. The biochar was made by slow pyrolysis from a variety of biomass, primarily cassava peel, irul wood sawdust, and coconut shell. All biochars were used as adsorbents to remove an anionic dye (methyl orange) by conducting batch adsorption studies. The biochar made from cassava peels showed the highest dye adsorption, and it was characterized using elements analysis (CHNS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area analyzer (BET), total acid density, and sulfonic acid group density to successfully confirm the presence of weak (–OH) and strong (–COOH, –SO3H) acidic groups. Furthermore, for microwave-assisted biodiesel production from Millettia pinnata seed oil, the dye adsorbed biochar made from cassava peel was utilized as a Brønsted acid catalyst. The catalyst having a surface area of 4.89 m2/g, an average pore width of 108.77 nm, a total acid density of 3.2 mmol/g, and a sulfonic acid group density of 1.9 mmol/g exhibits distinctive mesoporous properties that contribute to a biodiesel yield of 91.25%. By utilizing the catalyst for three more cycles and getting a yield of more than 75%, the reusability of the catalyst was investigated.
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We are grateful for the financial assistance given by TEQIP-II sanctioned under NITC/TEQIP-II/R&D/2015-16, National Institute of Technology Calicut.
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All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Suchith Chellappan. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Suchith Chellappan, Aparna Kallingal, Sajith Vandana, Vaishakh Nair, and Chingakham Chinglenthoiba and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. Final review and editing were performed by Suchith Chellappan and Chingakham Chinglenthoiba. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Table S1 Kinetic parameter studies for MO adsorption on cassava peel biochar (BC-CP). Table S2 Characterization of cassava peel biochar (BC-CP) and dye adsorbed catalyst (D-CP-SO3H).
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Chellappan, S., Kallingal, A., Vandana, S. et al. Methyl orange dye adsorbed biochar as a potential Brønsted acid catalyst for microwave-assisted biodiesel production. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 125158–125164 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-28269-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-28269-3