Optimization and clean synthesis of biodiesel from Rumex crispus leaves using calcium oxide derived from mango seed shell as a nanocatalyst

Abstract

The present study investigated the synthesis of biodiesel through transesterifca tion reaction of non-edible extracted oil from a cheap Rumex crispus leaves using a methanol alcohol in the presence of a nanocatalyst calcium oxide derived from mango seed shell. In line with this the synthesized calcium oxide nanocatalyst were characterized for structural patterns functional group, and energy band gab energy using XRD, FTIR and UV–Vis spectra. The efects of transesterifcation parameters; methanol to oil molar ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time, and catalyst load ing on biodiesel yield were investigated and optimized by using a Response Sur face Methodology (RSM) typically Central Composite Design (CCD). The catalyst loading turned out to be the most signifcant parameter with 93.72%. A 8:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil, a catalyst loading of 1.5 wt%, a reaction temperature of 65 °C and a reaction time of 3 h determines optimal conditions for the conversion of R. crispus leave oil to biodiesel yield of up to 93.72%. Under these conditions, the predicted and experimental biodiesel yields were 93.72% and 94.18%, respectively. The R2 value of the model was 0.9855, indicating the accuracy of the model. The biodiesel characterization parameters met the biodiesel specifcations of European Standard (EN) EN14214 and characterized by GC–MS and FTIR analysis. The bio diesel produced from R. crispus leaves oil as an alternative energy source could be utilized as a substitute for fossil fuels for a variety of purposes while also improving sustainable energy utilization.