Transesterification of Jatropha Oil over Ceria-Impregnated ZSM-5 for the Production of Bio-Diesel

In this study transesterification of Triglycerides (TG) from Jatropha curcas oil (JCO) with methanol for production of biodiesel was investigated over cerium impregnated ZSM-5 catalysts. NaZSM-5 was synthesized in an alkaline medium and impregnated with cerium oxide by wet method using cerium nitrate as a source for cerium. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimeteric analysis (TGA), $CO_2$-temperature programmed desorption, and $N_2$ adsorption/desorption analysis. XRD analysis showed decrease in intensity of the patterns with the increase in the ceria loading but crystallization of ceria to larger size is an evident for 10 and 15% loading. The optimal yield of transesterification process was found to be 90% under the following conditions: oil to methanol molar ratio: 1:12; temperature: $60^{\circ}C$; time: 1 h; catalyst: 5 wt %. Here the yield of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was calculated through $^1H$ NMR analysis. The investigation on catalyst loading, temperature, time and reusability illustrated that these ceria impregnated NaZSM-5's were found to be selective, recyclable and could yield biodiesel at low temperature with low methanol to oil ratio due to the presence of both Lewis and Bronsted basicity. Hence, from the above study it is concluded that ceria impregnated ZSM-5 could be recognized as a potential catalysts for biodiesel production in industrial processes.