Synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters via the methanolysis of palm oil over Ca3.5xZr0.5yAlxO3 mixed oxide catalyst

Novel mixed metal oxide catalyst Ca3.5xZr0.5yAlxO3 was synthesized through the coprecipitation of metal hydroxides. The textural, morphological, and surface properties of the synthesized catalysts were characterized via Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The catalytic performance of the as-synthesized catalyst series was evaluated during the transesterification of cooking palm oil with methanol to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The influence of different parameters, including the calcination temperature (300-700 °C), methanol to oil molar ratio (6:1-25:1), catalyst amount (0.5-6.5 wt%), reaction time (0.5-12 h) and temperature (70-180 °C), on the process was thoroughly investigated. The metal oxide composite catalyst with a Ca:Zr ratio of 7:1 showed good catalytic activity toward methyl esters. Over 87% of FAME content was obtained when the methanol to oil molar ratio was 12:1, reaction temperature 150 °C, reaction time 5 h and 2.5 wt% of catalyst loading. The catalyst could also be reused for over four cycles.