Heterogeneous nanocomposite catalysts supported on activated Egyptian clay for biofuel production from castor oil

Egyptian clay named diatomite was obtained and acid-activated to prepare two heterogeneous catalysts to catalyze the conversion reaction of castor oil into biodiesel. The prepared catalysts were diatomite e copper and diatomite e copper/ aluminum-layered double hydroxide composites. The catalysts were characterized using FT-IR, radiography diffraction, and N 2 -adsorption/desorption measurements and used in the conversion reaction of castor oil into biodiesel under different conditions to determine their optimum performance for yielding the maximum yield. The diatomite e copper composite showed acceptable catalyzing performance, while the more alkaline diatomite e copper/aluminum-layered double hydroxide composite exhibited excellent catalyzing performance during the transesteri fi cation conversion of castor oil. Speci fi cations of the yielded biodiesels including viscosity at 40 (cid:1) C, density at 15 (cid:1) C, pour point, cloud point, cetane number, fl ash point, and sulfur content were in good agreement with the standard ASTM speci fi cations. The conversion mechanism has been discussed.