Preparation of activated carbon-based catalyst from nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) shell modified with KOH for biodiesel synthesis
Abstract An attempt to synthesize a low-cost carbon-based heterogeneous catalyst from biomass has been explored. The focus of this research was investigating the carbon-based catalyst from nipa palm shell modified with KOH in biodiesel synthesis. Dry nipa palm shell powder was carbonized at 300°C for 1 h to produce carbon. The carbon was then modified by impregnation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. The carbon and modified carbon were analyzed by SEM-EDX. The modified carbon was applied as a heterogeneous catalyst in transesterification of palm oil and methanol. Transesterification was carried out at 60°C and stirred at 300 rpm. Reaction time and catalyst load was observed. Highest biodiesel yield of 95.5% was obtained at 2 h reaction time, 3% catalyst load, and methanol to oil ratio of 12:1. This preliminary study confirmed that KOH-modified carbon may act as a heterogeneous catalyst in biodiesel synthesis.