Synthesis and characterization of K2O/MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) from Lapindo Mud by sonochemical method for transesterification catalyst of used cooking oil

Abstract

The MCM-41 was synthesized using CTAB as a template by sonochemical method and it was charactherized by FTIR, XRD, SAA, and TEM. Potasium was impregnated onto the MCM-41 using potasium acetate salt solution with K+ concentrations of 0.80, 1.35, 1.86, and 2.49 wt.% to produce K2O(1), K2O(2), K2O(3), and K2O(4)/MCM-41 catalysts. The K2O/MCM-41 catalysts were then analyzed by ICP and SAA. Acitivity of catalysts were evaluated in the transesterification reaction of used cooking oil at 50, 60, and 70OC for 120 minutes. The MCM-41 showed characteristic peaks of 2θ = 2-3°.The TEM images showed ordered pore distribution with a hexagonal shape.The MCM-41 and K2O(4)/MCM-41 have spesific surface area of 1282.33 and 225.81 m2/g with pore diameter of 30.49 and 30.12 Å, respectively.The highest conversion of methyl ester was obtained from transesterification at 70OC using K2O(4)/MCM-41 catalyst and it was about 79.80 wt.%. Catalyst lifetime of the K2O(4)/MCM-41 for transesterification of used cooking oil was about 15.41 hours.