Biodiesel Production From Canola Oil by Titanium Dioxide‐Photocatalysed Transesterification

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Abstract
Fatty acid esters were produced by phototransesterification of canola oil using TiO 2 as a photocatalyst and employing either UVA or sunlight as radiation sources. Conversions of approximately 73% (±1.41) and 19% to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were achieved with methanol (1 TGL [triglyceride] mol:55 MeOH mol, 20% TiO 2 w catalyst / w TGL , 65°C, 4 h). In contrast, ethanol resulted in a lower conversion rate of 38%. Conventional thermal methods employing acid and alkali catalysts were employed to compare their corresponding FAME contents to those generated through photocatalysis. The kinetic curves were established for temperature ranges of 25°C–65°C. This study evaluated six kinetic mathematical models, among which the second forward/fourth backward model exhibited the greatest accuracy ( R 2 of 0.996). This indicates that a homogeneous system model can be applied to a heterogeneous process, given that the mass transfer to the active sites of the solid catalyst is not the rate‐limiting factor. The thermodynamic data (Δ G 328.15K = 29.98 kJ/mol, Δ G 338.15K = −6.88 kJ/mol, Δ H = 83.00 kJ/mol and Δ S = 0.27 kJ/mol K) suggest that this endothermic reaction requires temperatures of approximately 65°C to reach substantial conversion rates. These findings support the development of sustainable, low‐waste biodiesel production pathways aligned with global decarbonisation goals.
Funding Information
  • James Cook University

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