Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis Of Ni-doped SNO2 Nanoparticles And Their Use as Catalysts in Biodiesel Production

Abstract: The high chemical stability and low cost of tin dioxide has been widely reported in the literature, as has its microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The use of heterogeneous catalysts in biodiesel synthesis has proved very promising, with conversion rates exceeding 80%. The purpose of this study was to synthesize Ni-doped SnO2 for application as a heterogeneous catalyst in the transesterification of vegetable oils. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and N-2(g) adsorption/desorption using the Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method. The results revealed powders with nanometric agglomerates and high surface areas. Catalytic tests revealed an 80% retention factor and a decrease in the viscosity of babassu oil from 30.27 mm(2) s(-1) to 6.91 mm(2) s(-1), indicating that the synthesized catalyst can be used in the transesterification of vegetable oils.

Author(s):  De Sousa, DG; Oliveira, MM; Rangel, JHG; Vasconcelos, JS; Longo, E

HOLOS

DOI: 10.15628/holos.2017.5072