Synthesizes of Nanocatalyst for the Production of Biodiesel from Tannery Sludge; Characterization and Optimization

Abstract: Biodiesel production was carried through the method of transesterification by utilizing tannery sludge as a feedstock, short-chain alcohol, and a nanocatalyst (Ca/Fe₃O₄/Cs₂O). The nanocatalyst was synthesized via the chemical co-precipitation method followed by wet impregnation. The characterization was carried for identifying the morphology behavior of the synthesized catalyst through various analytical instruments. The activity performance of the catalyst was observed via transesterification reaction. The optimum yield of 98.6 wt % was produced by investigating the various process parameters such as 20 : 1 molar ratio of methanol/oil, 9 wt % of catalyst loading with 65°C of reaction temperature, and 300 min reaction time, and a rate of stirring of 450 rpm. Furthermore, the reusability of catalyst was carried out for identifying the performance during recycling and found that up to five cycles, the yield of biodiesel were above 90 wt %.