Preparation and characterization of magnetic CsH2PW12O40/Fe–SiO2 nanocatalysts for biodiesel production

•Effects of preparation conditions for biodiesel production were studied.•The CsH2PW12O40/Fe–SiO2 catalyst is efficient catalyst for biodiesel production.•The reaction conditions were found methanol/oil = 12/1, T = 60 °C.

The magnetic CsH2PW12O40/Fe–SiO2 nanocatalysts were prepared via combination of sol–gel and impregnation methods. The effects of different H3PW12O40/(Fe–SiO2) weight percentage, loading of Cs as a promotor and calcination conditions on the catalytic performance has been studied. It was found that the catalyst with H3PW12O40/Fe–SiO2 = 4 wt.% and Cs = 2 wt.% is an optimal catalyst for biodiesel production. The activity of optimal catalyst was studied in different operational conditions. The best operational conditions were CH3OH/oil = 12/1 at 60 °C with mechanical stirring rate of 500 rpm and the biodiesel yield reaches to 81% in 4 h. Characterization of catalysts was carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), N2 adsorption–desorption measurements methods, Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Graphical abstractIn this study, a series of magnetic CsH2PW12O40/Fe–SiO2 nanocatalysts were prepared and tested for biodiesel production. The best operational conditions were CH3OH/oil = 12/1 at 60 °C with mechanical stirring, the biodiesel yield reaches to 81% in 4 h. Also notably, recovery of the catalyst can be achieved easily with the help of an external magnet with no need for expensive ultracentrifugation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide