Evaluation of Sulfonated Sugarcane Bagasse-Derived Solid Acid Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis

S. Nagaraja, Sithaarthun (2026) Evaluation of Sulfonated Sugarcane Bagasse-Derived Solid Acid Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

The increasing demand for renewable energy has encouraged the development of sustainable biodiesel production. However, high feedstock costs and the limitations of homogeneous catalysts, such as soap formation and difficult separation, remain significant challenges. In this study, a heterogeneous solid acid catalyst was synthesized from sugarcane bagasse (SCB), an abundant agricultural waste. The SCB was carbonized at 300°C, 400°C, and 600°C, followed by sulfonation using concentrated H₂SO₄ to introduce active –SO₃H functional groups. The catalysts were characterized using FTIR and TGA analyses, confirming successful functionalization. Catalyst performance was evaluated through the esterification of waste cooking oil (WCO) with methanol. The results showed that the catalyst prepared at 400°C achieved the highest biodiesel yield of 39.30% with a FAME content of 30.39%, while the catalyst prepared at 600°C exhibited a loss of activity due to thermal deactivation. This study demonstrates a sustainable pathway for converting agricultural waste into a high-value catalyst for green energy production.