SBA-15-Zn/Cu catalyst with enhanced activity for the synthesis of biodiesel from waste cooking oil

In response to the global push for environmentally friendly technologies and sustainable practices, we have developed an advanced SBA-15-Zn/Cu catalyst that significantly enhances biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. SBA-15, a mesoporous silica, was first functionalized with organic amine and then treated with zinc and copper using a novel and cost-effective modification technique. This approach preserves the structural integrity of SBA-15 while enhancing its catalytic properties. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore size distribution, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), confirmed the successful incorporation of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), thereby validating the structural stability of the catalyst. The SBA-15-Zn/Cu catalyst exhibits superior performance in the transesterification reaction, crucial for biodiesel synthesis, achieving 84% waste cooking oil conversion and 61% biofuel yields through various optimization techniques. This innovated catalyst not only improves biodiesel production efficiency but also aligns with sustainable practices, making it both industry and environment friendly via its significant reusable capacities up to 5 consecutive cycles.