Biodiesel production from rapeseed oil and low free fatty acid waste cooking oil using a cesium modified natural phosphate catalyst

The present study focuses on the catalytic activity of cesium modified natural phosphate in biodiesel production from rapeseed oil and low free fatty acids (FFA) used in cooking oil. The catalyst was prepared by impregnation of cesium chloride (CsCl) on the natural phosphate followed by calcination up to 800 °C. The phosphate based catalyst was thermally, structurally, morphologically, and texturally characterized in order to determinate the relationship between its physicochemical properties and its catalytic activity. The chosen catalyst was demonstrated to be an active catalyst for the transesterification of rapeseed oil achieving a biodiesel yield of 99.55% under suitable reaction conditions: a methanol to oil molar ratio of 12 : 1, reaction temperature of 70 °C, catalyst amount of 4 wt% based on oil weight and reaction time of 6 h. Results from low FFA waste cooking oil transesterification indicated that a methyl esters yield of 99.52% could be obtained. Furthermore, results from esterification/transesterification of acidified rapeseed oil indicate that a yield of 93% may be obtained, thus giving rise to a potential application in 2^nd generation biodiesel production from low acidic oils. Some important physicochemical properties of the obtained biodiesel were evaluated and compared with the EN14214 and ASTM D-6751 standards for biodiesel specifications.

Cesium modified natural phosphate was investigated as a catalyst in biodiesel production from rapeseed oil and low free fatty acids used in cooking oil.

Li0.5Ni0.5Ti1.5Fe0.5(PO4)3/C Electrode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries Exhibiting Faster Kinetics and Enhanced Stability

Natrium super ionic conductor (NASICON) materials providing attractive properties such as high ionic conductivity and good structural stability are considered as very promising materials for use as electrodes for lithium- and sodium-ion batteries. Herein, a new high-performance electrode material, Li_0.5Ni_0.5Ti_1.5Fe_0.5(PO₄)₃/C, was synthesized via the sol-gel method and was electrochemically tested as an anode for lithium ion batteries, providing enhanced electrochemical performance as a result of nickel substitution into the lithium site in the LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ family of materials. The synthesized material showed good ionic conductivity, excellent structural stability, stable long-term cycling performance, and improved high rate cycling performance compared to LiTi₂(PO₄)₃. The Li_0.5Ni_0.5Ti_1.5Fe_0.5(PO₄)₃/C electrode delivered reversible capacities of about 93 and 68% of its theoretical one at current rates of 0.1 C (6.42 mA·g^-1) after 100 cycles and 5 C (320.93 mA·g^-1) after 1000 cycles, respectively. Theoretically, three Li⁺ ions can be inserted into the vacancies of the Li_0.5Ni_0.5Ti_1.5Fe_0.5(PO₄)₃/C structure. However, when the electrode is discharged to 0.5 V, more than three Li⁺ ions are inserted into the NASICON structure, leading to its structural transformation, and thus to an irreversible electrochemical behavior after the first discharge process.