Synthesis and characterization of monk fruit seed (Siraitia grosvenorii)-based heterogeneous acid catalyst for biodiesel production through esterification process

This research investigated for the first time the synthesis of monk fruit seed (Siraitia grosvenorii)-based solid acid catalyst for biodiesel production. The catalyst was synthesized using a two-step surface functionalization method with trimethoxy phenyl silane and chlorosulfonic acid. The as-synthesized catalyst was characterized to ascertain its catalytic characteristics through surface morphology, chemical bonding, and thermal stability. The effects of activating agent impregnation ratio, carbonization temperature, and sulfonation temperature towards fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield were elucidated. The esterification reaction with palmitic acid was found to produce FAME yield up to 98.5% with 4 wt.% catalyst loading, 6-h reaction duration and 120°C reaction temperature. The catalyst also demonstrated high reusability with 84.4% FAME yield being successfully maintained after four successive cycles without reactivation. These proved that the as-synthesized catalyst had high prospect to become a suitable low-cost alternative for biodiesel production through catalytic esterification process in the future.