Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposite for Biodiesel Production

Ordered mesoporous silicas can be utilized as support because of having large surface area, tunable porosity, uniform pore size distribution, high thermal stability and modifiable properties. However, these materials introduce separation problems in liquid-phase processes. We have prepared Fe₃O₄-SBA-15-SO₃H solid acid catalyst by combining the properties of a magnetic material and the mesoporous character of silica. The sulfonic acid functionalized solid acid catalyst, containing both magnetic nanoparticles and mesoporous silica, is not only separable but also stable under hydrothermal conditions, which are usually employed for biodiesel production. Esterification of oleic acid with methanol for biodiesel production was carried out effectively and 75% conversion of ester was approximately reached within six hours in the presence of Fe₃O₄-SBA-15-SO₃H magnetic solid acid catalyst. In addition, the catalyst could be separated from the reaction system by applying external magnetic field and reused without deactivation.