The rapid depletion of fossil fuel resources and climatic changes has triggered the researchers' attention to find an alternative and renewable energy source. Thus, biodiesel has been recognized as a potential alternative to petrodiesel for its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and environment-friendly attributes. In this study, an efficient and recyclable Cu–Ni doped ZrO2 catalyst was synthesized and used to produce biodiesel from a novel non-edible caper (Capparis spinosa L.) seed oil. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by x-ray diffraction, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The catalyst was reused in four consecutive transesterification reactions without losing any significant catalytic efficiency. Transesterification reaction conditions were optimized via response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design for predicting optimum biodiesel yields by drawing 3D surface plots. Maximum biodiesel yield of 90.2% was obtained under optimal operating conditions of 1:6 M ratio of oil to methanol, reaction temperature of 70 °C, reaction time of 1.5 h, and 2.5% catalyst loading. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C) analysis confirmed the high quality of biodiesel produced from non-edible caper (Capparis spinosa L.) seed oil. The fuel properties of the produced biodiesel were also found, such as kinematic viscosity (4.17 cS T), density (0.8312 kg/L), flash point (72 °C), acid no (0.21 mgKOH/g) and sulphur content (0.00042 wt%). These properties were matched and are in close agreement with the International Biodiesel Standards of European Union (EU-14214), China GB/T 20,828 (2007), and American (ASTM6751). Thus, non-edible Capparis spinosa L. seed oil and Cu–Ni doped ZrO2 catalyst appeared to be highly active, stable, and cheap candidates to boost the future biodiesel industry.

Biodiesel production from novel non-edible caper (Capparis spinosa L.) seeds oil employing Cu–Ni doped ZrO2 catalyst

Production of high quality biodiesel from novel non-edible Raphnus raphanistrum L. seed oil using copper modified montmorillonite clay catalyst

Cleaner production of biodiesel from novel non-edible seed oil (Carthamus lanatus L.) via highly reactive and recyclable green nano CoWO3@rGO composite in context of green energy adaptation

Microalgal biofuel production: Potential challenges and prospective research

A survey on multi-criterion decision parameters, integration layout, storage technologies, sizing methodologies and control strategies for integrated renewable energy system

Biosorption of heavy metals by microorganisms: Evaluation of different underlying mechanisms.

Metal-organic framework-enabled pesticides are an emerging tool for sustainable cleaner production and environmental hazard reduction

This present study focus on the process optimization and characteristic assessment of waste animal fat (WAF) biodiesel based on the influence of fatty acids characterized in it. WAFs were rendered ...

Influence of fatty acid composition on process optimization and characteristics assessment of biodiesel produced from waste animal fat

This paper reports a simple method of designing and synthesizing magnetic iron oxide (IO) integrated locust bean gum-cl-polyacrylonitrile hydrogel nanocomposites (LBG-cl-PAN/IONP) by in situ mineralization of iron ions in a hydrogel matrix. A two-step gel crosslink method followed by co-precipitation method was used to prepare these novel hydrogels embedded with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The LBG-cl-PAN/IONP hydrogel nanocomposite (HNC) were tested in batch adsorption experiments for their ability to remove a cationic dyes, methylene blue (MB) & Methyl violet (MV), from aqueous solution. In order to analyze the LBG-cl-PAN/IONP HNC, FTIR, XRD, XPS, VSM, TEM, and EDX techniques were applied. Numerous operating parameters were studied, including the amount of adsorbent, the contact time, pH, temperature, the dye concentration, and the coexisting ion concentration. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, MB and MV had maximum monolayer adsorptive capacities of 1250 and 1111 mg/g, respectively. LBG-cl-PAN/IONP HNC controlled IONP oxidation as well as sustained adsorptive removal over a wide pH range (7-10). The key mechanism of adsorption consisted of electrostatic interaction and ion exchange. For successful use in successive cycles after regeneration using HNO3 as eluent, the LBG-cl-PAN/IONP HNC can easily be reused. As a material, the LBG-cl-PAN/IONP HNC is a promising sorbent or composite material for removing toxic dyes from water, and therefore can be applied to enhance water and wastewater treatment technology. Additionally, we have briefly evaluated LBG-cl-PAN/IONP HNC for antibacterial and supercapacitor applications. According to our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of LBG-cl-PAN/IONP HNC multifunctional efficacy as an excellent sorbent, antibacterial and electrochemical supercapacitor applications. 

Locust Bean gum-based hydrogels embedded magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles nanocomposite: Advanced materials for environmental and energy applications.

Deepanraj Balakrishnan

Papers

Biosorption of heavy metals by microorganisms: Evaluation of different underlying mechanisms.

Metal-organic framework-enabled pesticides are an emerging tool for sustainable cleaner production and environmental hazard reduction

Influence of fatty acid composition on process optimization and characteristics assessment of biodiesel produced from waste animal fat

Locust Bean gum-based hydrogels embedded magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles nanocomposite: Advanced materials for environmental and energy applications.

Recent application of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles as a theranostic agent