Esterification of free fatty acids (Biodiesel) using nano sulfated-titania as catalyst in solvent-free conditions

Nano sulfated titania was tested as catalyst for esterification of free fatty acids, specially methanolic and ethanolic esterification of stearic acid (biodiesels). Factorial design evidenced a positive effect of reaction temperature, amount of catalyst, and solvents on ester conversion. This nano-sized sulfated titania has been prepared by a sol-gel hydrothermal process. This prepared sulfated titania showed high catalytic activity in direct esterification of fatty acids as well as benzoic acids with various alcohols and phenols under solvent-free conditions. This method is of great value because of its environmentally benign character, easy handling, high yields, convenient operation, and green. FT-IR studies are shown that the catalyst can be reused for acylation without loss of catalytic activity.

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