Biodiesel Synthesis, Optimization and Characterization from Novel Non-edible oil Seeds via High Performance Phyto-nano catalysts

Abstract

Cleaner and sustainable production of biodiesel from non-edible seed oils offers distinctive opportunity to cater with energy crises associated with depleting fossil fuel. Large scale production of biodiesel could lead to positive outcomes in terms of environmental quality by reducing greenhouse gasses emission and Societal-Economic development. This research engrossed on biodiesel production from fifteen (15) novel, highly potential of non-edible, novel and biodegradable feedstocks such as Cestrum nocturnum L, Cichorium intybus L, Zanthoxylum armatum DC, Citrus medica L, Citrus paradisi Macfad and Citrus aurantium L., Cupressus sempervirens, Trachyspermum ammi (L.), Cupressus macrocarpa, Nannorrhops ritchieana (Griff.) Aitch., Cordia myxa L., Cordia dichotoma G.Forst., Chamaerops humilis L., Monotheca buxifolia, and Grewia asiatica (L.) using a variety of green nanocatalysts. These non-edible oil seeds have been studied systematically including their collection, morphological identification, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of seeds, oil content determination, oil extraction, biodiesel synthesis, optimization, characterization and analysis of fuel properties in relation to the international standards. Fifteen different green nanocatalysts were synthesized with aqueous leaves extract of Silybum marianum, Boerhavia diffusa, Anagallis arvensis, Alternanthera pungens, Salvia moocroftiana, Portulaca oleracea, Boerhavia procumbens, Galium boreale, Alternanthera pungens, Parthenium hysterophorus, Colchicum aitchisoni, Chenopodium album, Nasturtium officinale, Calendula arvensis and Fumaria indica. It is stated that these green nano catalysts are found to be recyclable in nature with easy recovery and reusability. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized via X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy, spectroscopy (GC/MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Response Surface Methodology was used to compose central composite design for optimization reactions. The maximum yield of methyl ester (95%) was recorded for Monotheca buxifolia at optimum reaction conditions of oil to methanol molar ratio 1:7, CaO loading 0.5 (wt.%), temperature 90 oC and time 2 h. Whereas, lowest yield of 90% biodiesel was recorded for Grewia asiatica at a catalyst loading (Nb2O5)of 0.32 (wt.%), a Met:Oil ratio of 9:1, 180 min, and a temperature of 60 ◦C. Fuel properties of all synthesized methyl esters were found comparable to international standards of fuels. The current analysis came to the conclusion that such plant species that produce non-edible seed oil are highly promising and less expensive biomass feedstock for sustainable production of biodiesel that could have favorable environmental and socioeconomic implications at many levels. This study also recommends that such non-edible feedstock be grown in large quantities on waste, marginal, saline, and wet soil to increase the quality and production of biodiesel for industrial usage and the worldwide market. This study also suggests emission analysis of synthetic biodiesel as well as the commercial synthesis of alternative catalysts, such as nano-sized hybrids of metal oxide.