Surface area and porosity development of catalyst using agricultural waste Chestnut shell biomass as a bio-source for ethyl oleate production

By calcination and sulfurating Chestnut shell biomass (CNS), a solid acid catalyst was synthesized. In the preparation of the catalyst, a range of calcination temperatures (150 degrees C-350 degrees C) and time 2 h, a range of sulfonation temperatures (80 degrees C-160 degrees C), and a range of times (1-6 h) were examined in order to determine the effect on catalytic activity. The CNS300-SO3H catalyst was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, N-2-adorption and desorption, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A higher acid density (8.626 mmol/g(-1)) was found with the CNS300-SO3H catalyst, as well as a higher surface area (1198.12 m(2)/g(-1)). As part of the catalytic activity test, prepared catalysts were tested for their ability to catalyze the esterification of oleic acid with ethanol. Results revealed that a sulfonated activated carbon-CNS-derived acid catalyst is capable of esterifying oleic acid to about (95.25%) conversion. Chestnut-prepared catalysts showed better performance due to their high specific surface areas. Furthermore, the hydrophobic nature of the CNS300-SO3H catalyst made it stable for up to nine cycles of recycling. Catalyst is recyclable, and cheap feedstock makes the overall process more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.