Activated carbon from waste date palm fronds: A sustainable green heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel synthesis

Abstract

Biodiesel is a well-established, environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. As well as less expensive and able to provide greener energy. All of which have favorably impacted bioeconomy. Physically activated and chemically activated carbon catalysts were synthesized from clean and dry date palm fronds at varying conditions and temperatures. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were utilized to characterize this catalyst. The results demonstrated that as the calcination temperature increased, the pore size of the chemically activated carbon catalyst decreased. The catalysts were used to produce eco-friendly biodiesel from examined waste cooking oil by optimal yield of (88 mass%). Optimal reaction conditions utilized included a catalyst concentration of 5 mass%, an oil to ethanol molar ratio of 1:10, and a temperature of 80°C for a duration of 3 hours. The potential of fatty acid ethyl ester to function as a suitable substitute fuel is indicated by its compliance with the fuel properties outlined in ASTM D 6751. Consequently, it is commendable to create and execute an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient strategy that employs biodiesel derived from abundant agricultural waste.