Catalytic Performance of CO:Ni Mixed Oxide Based Catalyst for Green Fuel Synthesis from Biomass Derived Citrullus Colocynthis Oil

This study aimed to synthesize nickel oxide (NiO) and cobalt oxide (Co3O4) based catalysts for synthesizing biodiesel from Citrullus colocynthis oil. Cobalt-nickel mixed oxide catalysts made by co-precipitation technique with different Cobalt to Nickel ratios and named Co:Ni (50:50), Co:Ni (67:33), and Co:Ni (33:67). The Characterization of these synthesized catalysts was performed by XRD and SEM analysis. The transesterification process checked the catalytic activity of these catalysts, and it was found that Co:Ni (33:67) gave the maximum yield, i.e., 90%. The experimental conditions for the maximum yield of biodiesel were 65°C temperature, the Molar ratio of methanol to oil to be 9:1, the time required for reaction taken to be 2.5 h, and catalyst loading of 3.5 wt%. Co:Ni (33:67) exhibits strong catalytic activity and stability, making it a viable heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. Five recyclability studies were conducted in the present study. This research's novelty is synthesizing heterogeneous catalysts with varying ratios of cobalt to nickel and comparing their catalytic performance in biodiesel production.