Cerium(III)phosphotungstate: an efficient catalyst in esterification of fatty acids

In this report, a known heteropolyacid salt (HPAs) cerium (Ⅲ) phosphotungstate was synthesized in a volume ratio of 2:1:2 with a molar ratio of 1:1:1 of each ingredient. These HPAs are further utilized in form of a catalyst to generate biodiesel through the esterification of variable carbon chain length alcohols (methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol) and stearic acid at different conditions of reaction. FTIR of the produced biodiesel was also done for the assurance of ester peaks in it. Analysis of some important biodiesel properties (density, dynamic viscosity, acid value, aniline point, boiling point, cloud and pour point, and flash and fire point) etc., to differentiate and validate the results. A large surface area of the catalyst i.e. 121.427 m2/g determined using the BET surface area analyser, supports the fact of outrageous catalytic action in the esterification reaction. The effect of additives was also studied on the properties of resultant biodiesel. The calorific value of the samples was measured at 7320 Kcal/kg without additive and 7512 Kcal/kg after adding toluene (as an additive) in the biodiesel generated in the study. The pour point temperature of the biodiesel with additives was observed even < 20℃.