Functionalized cellulose-magnetite nanocomposite catalysts for efficient biodiesel production

•Cellulose-magnetite nanocomposites were fabricated.•Nanocellulose was functionalized using different organic and inorganic acids.•Functionalized nanocellulose derivatives and cellulose-magnetite nanocomposites were characterized.•The catalytic activity of the fabricated materials was evaluated for esterification.•Oleic acid and methanol were used for the production of methyl oleate ester (biodiesel).

Cellulose-magnetite nanocomposites were fabricated via the adsorption of magnetite onto the surfaces of functionalized nanocellulose, using different organic and inorganic acids. The properties of functionalized nanocellulose derivatives and cellulose-magnetite nanocomposites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), magnetic properties measurements, and thermal analysis. The catalytic activity of the functionalized nanocellulose and cellulose-magnetite nanocomposites was evaluated towards the esterification of oleic acid with methanol for the production of methyl oleate (biodiesel). The sulfonated cellulose-magnetite nanocomposite (MSNC) showed the highest catalytic activity toward the esterification reaction (96%) due to the high dispersion of the Lewis acid sites resulted from the impregnation of magnetite (0.98 wt%) in addition to the already presented Brönsted acid sites in the surface of the nanocellulose.

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