Synthesis, Thermal Behaviour and Catalytic Study of Ni-Chitosan in Transesterification Reaction Using Soybean Oil

The biodiesel emerged as a substitute of standard diesel and could be considered a renewable and clean energy source. The transesterification reaction is considered the critical step in biodiesel production. The reaction between a short chain alcohol and chain triglycerides occurs in presence of a catalyst, which could be homogeneous or heterogeneous at reaction system. Trying solving the problems presented by homogeneous catalysis and finds viable applications conditions with heterogeneous catalysts, this work aimed to prepare and characterize a heterogeneous catalyst by chitosan with nickel (metallic complex) and then applies it in biodiesel production in laboratory scale. Simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to characterize the catalyst. To characterize the biodiesel were used Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and measurements of viscosity and density. Keywords