Nanoparticulate ZrO2/SO42- Catalyst for Biofuel Production

This study reports on the preparation of zirconia coatings based on monodispersed zirconium-oxo-alkoxy (ZOA) nanoparticles for conversion of free fatty acid (FFA) into biofuel. Monodispersed ZOA nanoparticles of 3.6 nm size were prepared by sol-gel method in a rapid micro-mixing reactor with turbulent fluids flow at 20°C. The ZOA nanopowders obtained after precipitation and nanocoatings deposited on glass beads, after subsequent sulfatation, drying and calcinations, show high catalytic activity towards esterification process. The biofuel yield in esterification of palmitic acid in methanol reached 67% (after t=3.5 hours) on nanopowders while it increases to 98% on nonocoatings