TY - JOUR AB - The present study explores the use of silicotungstic acid anchored to mesoporous siliceous support, Korean Institute of Technology-6 (KIT-6), as a catalyst to produce biodiesel. Silicotungstic acid loaded KIT-6 was synthesized and the physicochemical properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, surface area and pore size distribution analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy techniques. Efficiency of the silicotungstic acid loaded KIT-6 in the production of biodiesel from a variety of high free fatty acid containing feedstock was then evaluated. The composition of free fatty acids in all the feedstock oils (algae oil, coffee oil, palmitic acid and used cooking oil) and their biodiesel resulting from the feedstock were also analyzed. Compared with other solid acid catalysts, the resulting materials show stable and highly efficient catalytic performance in biodiesel production with the highest conversion reaching 99%. A sample containing 26 wt% of silicotungstic acid supported on KI1-6 was found to be the most active catalyst for esterification at 70 degrees C whilst stirring constantly, with an alcohol/acid volume ratio of 2 and 1.5 wt% loading catalyst for 3 h. Furthermore, the catalyst was reused for four cycles indicating recyclability of the catalyst. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. AD - Univ Nevada, Dept Chem & Mat Engn, Reno, NV 89557 USA AN - WOS:000357552900027 AU - Bala, D. D. AU - de Souza, K. AU - Misra, M. AU - Chidambaram, D. DA - Oct 1 DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.05.035 J2 - J Clean Prod KW - mesoporous LA - English N1 - Cm3ag PY - 2015 SN - 0959-6526 SP - 273-281 ST - Conversion of a variety of high free fatty acid containing feedstock to biodiesel using solid acid supported catalyst T2 - Journal of Cleaner Production TI - Conversion of a variety of high free fatty acid containing feedstock to biodiesel using solid acid supported catalyst UR - ://WOS:000357552900027 VL - 104 ID - 10971 ER -