Biodiesel production via esterification of oleic acid catalyzed by MnO2@Mn(btc) as a novel and heterogeneous catalyst

The main objective of this study is to develop efficient and environmentally benign heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production. For this purpose, a heterogeneous MnO 2 @Mn(btc) catalyst was prepared by the solvothermal method, and the prepared catalyst was tested for the esterification of oleic acid. Various techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and NH 3 ‐TPD (temperature programmed desorption) analysis were employed for the characterization of the solid catalyst. The solid catalyst with MnO 2 @Mn(btc) loading of 15% showed high catalytic activity and long durability in the esterification of oleic acid, in which the fatty acid methyl ester yield reached 98% consecutively for at least five cycles under mild conditions.