Functionalization of Multiwall Carbon Nano-Tube Supported Zinc Oxide Solid Acid Catalyst Using Sulfonate Compound for Transesterification of Schleichera Oleosa L Oil

Biodiesel is an alternative energy obtained through the trasesterification of vegetable oil in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst plays a very important role in the success of the transesterification process. One way to increase the activity of the catalyst is through chemical modification called functionalization, which generally using SO₃ group as a sulfonating agent is known as the sulfonation process. However, the disadvantage of this process is that it uses strong acids which are corrosive, require high temperatures and are not environmentally friendly. This study aims to increase the activity of zinc oxide catalyst supported by multi-wall carbon nano tube (Z/MWCNTs) sulfonated using (NH4)₂SO₄ as sulfonating agent. The synthesis route includes co-precipitation, sulfonation and precipitation time. The effect of concentration of ammonium sulfate, co-precipitation time, and sulfonating time on yield of biodiesels of kesambi (Schleichera oleosa L) oil (OSOBD) was investigated. The result showed that the activity functionalized Z/MWCNTS catalyst (Z/s-MWCCNTs) could enhance significantly. The results of the catalyst activity test on transesterification of OSO into biodiesel showed that Z/s-MWCNTs gave a high yield of 91% for the functionalized catalyst using ammonium sulfate with a concentration of 35%, co-precipitation time 12 hours and sulfonation time 4 hours. The functionalization of MWCNTS with the sulfonation process using ammonium sulfate has the potential to increase catalyst activity and can increase the efficiency of the transesterification process for non-edible oils, especially kesambi oil.