Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles Ni_0.₅Zn₀_.₅Fe₂O₄ and Ni₀_.₂Cu₀_.₃Zn₀_.₅Fe₂O₄ for Biodiesel Obtaining

Abstract

The magnetic nanoparticles (MNP's) have chemical characteristics of acids or bases of Lewis or Brönsted and they allow their use in various processes, for example, in the biofuels synthesis. Thus, this study aimed to synthesize the MNP's of Ni 0 . 5 Zn 0 . 5 Fe 2 O 4 and Ni 0 . 2 Cu 0 . 3 Zn 0 . 5 Fe 2 O 4 to be used as catalysts in the transesterification reaction by methyl and ethyl route. In samples preparing we used the combustion reaction method and characterization by XRD, FTIR and BET. The catalytic reaction was conducted in a high pressure reactor on the conditions: 180°C for 1 hour, oil:alcohol molar ratio 1:12 and 2% of catalyst. The results indicate the formation of spinel inverted phase for the studied samples. In catalytic activity we observed an increase of 85% in conversion when we added Cu +2 to Ni 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 system with conversion of 13.9% by methyl route and 10.8% by ethyl route.