Characterization and optimization of biodiesel production from corn oil using heterogeneous MoO3/MCM-41 catalysts

Different types of heterogeneous catalysts have been developed worldwide and tested for biodiesel production from corn oil as a feedstock via the transesterification and esterification reactions. In this study, varying contents of MoO₃ were incorporated into the mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41 using the pore saturation method to form heterogeneous catalysts (MoO₃/MCM-41). Characterization results confirmed the formation of the MCM-41 structure and the mesoporous phase filling by molybdenum, along with different surface areas, volume, and pore diameters. The silanol groups impart acidity to the molecular sieve, and a molybdenum content above the optimum reduced the availability of acidic sites on the catalyst surface, filling the micro and mesoporous channels, resulting in lower acidity. Catalytic performance was evaluated using a 2² factorial design with three center points to optimize reaction parameters including MoO₃content and temperature. The maximum yield was 87.87 %, achieved with a 3 % catalyst load containing 15 wt% MoO₃, at an oil-to-alcohol molar ratio of 1:20 at 150 °C for 3 h. Temperature had the most significant influence on biodiesel yield.