Abstract
In this work, a biogenic-mediated approach is successfully used to synthesize a novel heterogeneous Cs2O–MgO/MPC basic nanocomposite. For the first time, the established technicality employs pomegranate seed extract that gives a green capping fuel and reducing mediators during an aqueous solution combustion process of metal ion precursors. The synthesized nanocomposites were identified by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, N2 isotherms, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and CO2-TPD analyses. The transesterification process of olive oil was used to evaluate the catalytic performance. The nanocomposite displayed outstanding catalytic efficiency stemming from the boosting of the reactant and product diffusion. The transesterification activity and the optimization design were assessed by applying the response surface methodology. Based on the experimental tests, the finest experimental conditions with a biodiesel yield of 96.1% are 4 h, 4% catalyst amount, an oil/methanol ratio of 1:15, and a temperature of 65 °C. The predicted optimal conditions based on the statistical model are 6 h contact time, 5.2 % catalyst dose, 65 °C reaction temperature, and 1:15 oil/methanol molar ratio, attaining a biodiesel yield of 95.18%. The catalyst reusability has been performed almost continuously up to four cycles, with no loss of the active constituents. The obtained biodiesel demonstrated characteristics close to those of international standards of biodiesel. Besides, the process employed in this study demonstrated significant potential for further development and commercialization and is cheaper than the refined vegetable oil used in traditional approaches of biodiesel manufacturing.