Use of Biopolymer Substrates as Precursors for Development of Heterogeneous Catalysts for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable energy and green
chemistry approaches has necessitated the development of eco-
friendly catalysts from renewable resources. This study
investigates the utilization of biopolymer substrates, specifically
starch derived from rice (Oryza sativa) and corn (Zea mays)
agricultural waste, as precursors for synthesizing heterogeneous
catalysts for biodiesel production. The catalysts were prepared
via wet impregnation with Iron(II) sulphate solution (0.23
g/mL) followed by calcination at 800°C for 1 hour.
Comprehensive characterization was performed using
proximate analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface
area analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy
Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). BET analysis
revealed surface areas ranging from 70.895 to 270.326 m²/g,
with rice starch-based catalysts exhibiting superior
performance. SEM-EDX confirmed successful iron
incorporation (12.45-20.84%)
and
revealed
diverse
morphological structures including polyhedral, granular, and
dendritic formations. The proximate analysis indicated moisture
content between 8.70-10.95%, with carbohydrate content
ranging from 61.88-82.51%. Results demonstrate that
biopolymer-based catalysts possess comparable properties to
conventional heterogeneous catalysts, offering an economically
viable and environmentally sustainable alternative for biodiesel
production.