Biodiesel obtained by ethylic transesterification using CuO, ZnO and CeO2 supported on bentonite

• Montmorillonite was impregnated with different oxides for biodiesel synthesis.
• Biodiesel was obtained by ethylic transesterification, while most papers use the methylic one.
• More than 80% conversion was obtained in a green chemistry process using ZnO impregnated on natural bentonite.

This research aims to study the feasibility of using bentonite clays in their natural form, acidified and impregnated with CuO, ZnO and CeO2 by a microwave-assisted solvothermal method, for use in the production of biodiesel. Characterization of the materials confirmed impregnation on the bentonite. Transesterification reactions were performed using the ethylic route at 200 °C in a Parr reactor for 1, 2 and 4 h. The results indicated that acidified bentonite led to the conversion of triacylglycerides into esters in addition to small amounts of diacylglycerides and monoacylglycerides. However, this material does not lead to the homogeneous impregnation of the oxides on its surface. For the natural bentonite, almost no conversion was obtained for the pure material, but a homogeneous impregnation with zinc oxide was attained, leading to 88% conversion after 4 h of a catalytic test.

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