Synergistic effects between acidity and the crystalline phases of thermally activated layered Zn hydroxide nitrate on the methanolysis of acidic soybean oils.

Layered hydroxyl salts (LHS) is a promising catalyst in the field of methanolysis (transesterification and esterification reactions) of oil feedstocks. The catalytic activity of the catalyst can be enhanced with heat treatment. The present study investigated the relationship between thermal stability of the layered Zn hydroxide nitrate (ZHN), their acid-base properties, and the catalytic conversion of oil feedstocks to methyl ester.

Synthesis and Characterization of Spent Bleaching Clay-based Geopolymer: An Effort towards Palm Oil Industry Waste Reutilization.

Spent bleaching clay (SBC) is a problematic waste from the palm oil industry with worldwide availability. In this study, geopolymer was synthesized from SBC, a kind of aluminosilicate material with an alkaline activator solution that is made up of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. Calcium silicate (CS), which is a by-product of the silicates removal from wastewater, was also added to the formulation.