SYNTHESIS OF PHOTOCATALYST (TiO2 / g-C3N4) COMPOSITE FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM WASTE COOKING OIL USING TRANSESTERFICATION PROCESS

Abstract

Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods for producing biodiesel from oil. Due to the depletion of fossil fuel resources, biodiesel is becoming more popular as an alternative fuel. However, the utilization of waste cooking oil (WCO) as a biodiesel source material is one of the most cost-effective techniques which also can practically minimize the raw material cost. This study focuses on the synthesis of novel improved photocatalyst TiO2 / g-C3N4 composite for the conversion of WCO into Biodiesel through transesterification. XRD, SEM, EDS, TGA, and UV-VIS are used to characterize the photocatalyst that has been synthesized. The TiO2 nanoparticles are ascribed to the anatase phase, according to XRD. With increasing g-C3N4 concentration, the band gap of the TiO2/g-C3N4 composite decreases, making the catalytic process more efficient. under photocatalytic conditions. WCO was acid esterified before the transesterification reaction to lower the free fatty acid content (below 3%). For transesterification reaction esterified WCO was used, at 60oC with oil to methanol ratio of 1:9 and stirred for 1 hour, with different catalyst TiO2 / gC3N4 (10, 20 & 30%) with different catalyst concentrations (1, 2, and 3%). The results showed that TiO2 / 20% g-C3N4 with 2% catalyst concentration has the highest yield of biodiesel production (89.5%) as compared to other catalyst concentrations used. The presence of certain characteristic peaks in biodiesel and Petro-diesel is confirmed by FTIR analysis, while the GC-MS analysis reveals that obtained biodiesel is rich in monounsaturated fatty acid. Other fuel properties density, viscosity, flashpoint, acid value, and pH of produced biodiesel were compared with American (ASTM- D6571) fuel standards. TiO2 / g-C3N4 a semiconductor material that can be used as a photocatalyst, it could be a veritable material for biodiesel production from WCO.