Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for sustainable fuels has driven extensive research into biodiesel production, which typically relies on the use of active catalysts to facilitate the transesterification of oils. While homogeneous catalysts are commonly employed, they pose challenges in terms of recyc...

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Main Authors: Jason Ik C. Lau, Sabeeha N. B. A. Khadaroo, Jiuan J. Chew, Deni S. Khaerudini, Agus Saptoro, Jaka Sunarso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Energy Science & Engineering
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.2062
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author Jason Ik C. Lau
Sabeeha N. B. A. Khadaroo
Jiuan J. Chew
Deni S. Khaerudini
Agus Saptoro
Jaka Sunarso
author_facet Jason Ik C. Lau
Sabeeha N. B. A. Khadaroo
Jiuan J. Chew
Deni S. Khaerudini
Agus Saptoro
Jaka Sunarso
author_sort Jason Ik C. Lau
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT The increasing demand for sustainable fuels has driven extensive research into biodiesel production, which typically relies on the use of active catalysts to facilitate the transesterification of oils. While homogeneous catalysts are commonly employed, they pose challenges in terms of recyclability and environmental impact, leading to growing interest in heterogeneous catalysts. Among these, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained attention due to their high surface area and tuneable properties. This study investigates the performance of a copper benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (CuBTC) MOF as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production. CuBTC was synthesised via solvothermal method and thoroughly characterised using scanning electron microscopy to examine the morphology, powder X‐ray diffraction to determine the crystalline structure, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to identify the functional groups. The synthesised CuBTC has an octahedral morphology and successfully catalysed biodiesel production with unsaturated fatty acids within the C16 to C18 range, achieving a yield of 78.6% using 1 wt.% CuBTC and a 10:1 methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio. The iodine value of the produced biodiesel was 59.3 g I/g, and the higher heating value was 39.2 MJ/kg. Recycled CuBTC maintained its efficacy, yielding 76.6% and 63.4% fatty acid methyl esters in the first and second recycling runs, respectively, with 16.6% and 15.3% of C16 to C18 fatty acids. The produced biodiesel met quality standards outlined in EN 14214, highlighting CuBTC's potential for sustainable biodiesel production.
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spelling doaj-art-1e57ff75a77e4080b03ad6a4adcc8d1a2025-08-20T02:04:37ZengWileyEnergy Science & Engineering2050-05052025-03-011331146115510.1002/ese3.2062Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel ProductionJason Ik C. Lau0Sabeeha N. B. A. Khadaroo1Jiuan J. Chew2Deni S. Khaerudini3Agus Saptoro4Jaka Sunarso5Research Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science Swinburne University of Technology Kuching MalaysiaResearch Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science Swinburne University of Technology Kuching MalaysiaResearch Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science Swinburne University of Technology Kuching MalaysiaResearch Center for Advanced Materials, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) South Tangerang IndonesiaDepartment of Chemical and Energy Engineering Curtin University Malaysia Miri MalaysiaResearch Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science Swinburne University of Technology Kuching MalaysiaABSTRACT The increasing demand for sustainable fuels has driven extensive research into biodiesel production, which typically relies on the use of active catalysts to facilitate the transesterification of oils. While homogeneous catalysts are commonly employed, they pose challenges in terms of recyclability and environmental impact, leading to growing interest in heterogeneous catalysts. Among these, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained attention due to their high surface area and tuneable properties. This study investigates the performance of a copper benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (CuBTC) MOF as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production. CuBTC was synthesised via solvothermal method and thoroughly characterised using scanning electron microscopy to examine the morphology, powder X‐ray diffraction to determine the crystalline structure, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to identify the functional groups. The synthesised CuBTC has an octahedral morphology and successfully catalysed biodiesel production with unsaturated fatty acids within the C16 to C18 range, achieving a yield of 78.6% using 1 wt.% CuBTC and a 10:1 methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio. The iodine value of the produced biodiesel was 59.3 g I/g, and the higher heating value was 39.2 MJ/kg. Recycled CuBTC maintained its efficacy, yielding 76.6% and 63.4% fatty acid methyl esters in the first and second recycling runs, respectively, with 16.6% and 15.3% of C16 to C18 fatty acids. The produced biodiesel met quality standards outlined in EN 14214, highlighting CuBTC's potential for sustainable biodiesel production.https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.2062biofuelcatalystfatty acid methyl esterMOFspalm oilrecyclability
spellingShingle Jason Ik C. Lau
Sabeeha N. B. A. Khadaroo
Jiuan J. Chew
Deni S. Khaerudini
Agus Saptoro
Jaka Sunarso
Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production
Energy Science & Engineering
biofuel
catalyst
fatty acid methyl ester
MOFs
palm oil
recyclability
title Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production
title_full Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production
title_fullStr Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production
title_full_unstemmed Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production
title_short Copper Benzene‐1,3,5‐Tricarboxylate Metal‐Organic Framework Performance as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biodiesel Production
title_sort copper benzene 1 3 5 tricarboxylate metal organic framework performance as a heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production
topic biofuel
catalyst
fatty acid methyl ester
MOFs
palm oil
recyclability
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.2062
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