Production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil and non-edible M. oleifera oil utilizing a CaO/CuFe₂O₄/LaTiO₃ Perovskite@Na bifunctional heterogeneous nanocatalyst

In this study, CaO derived from eggshell waste was modified with magnetic nanoparticles (CuFe₂O₄) and LaTiO₃ Perovskite@Na to serve as a bifunctional magnetic nanocatalyst for biodiesel synthesis from Moringa oleifera oil (MoO) and waste cooking oil (WCO). The nanocatalyst demonstrated specific surface area and magnetic saturation of 19.059 m²/g and 12.501 emu/g, respectively, with XRD and AFM analyses indicating a crystalline structure with rough surface texture. The study utilized response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD) to optimize critical independent variables, such as nanocatalyst concentration, reaction time, methanol-to-oil ratio, and reaction temperature, with the goal of maximizing biodiesel yield. The second-order polynomial model showed high accuracy in predicting biodiesel yield, with strong F-values, low p-values, and minimal Lack of Fit errors. Optimal conditions for biodiesel production were established as a methanol-to-oil ratio around 16.4-16.918, a nanocatalyst dose of approximately 2.4-2.541 wt.%, reaction times between 153-172 minutes, and temperatures around 64-68.8 °C. Reusability tests confirmed the catalyst's durability across multiple cycles, with E-factor values indicating an eco-friendly process. FTIR analyses validated the successful biodiesel synthesis, with properties conforming to ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards. • Catalyst CaO, derived from eggshells, was modified with CuFe₂O₄ and LaTiO₃@Na. • The nanocatalyst has a surface area of 19.059 m²/g and magnetic saturation of 12.501 emu/g. • RSM-CCD optimized methanol-oil ratio (16.4-16.918) and catalyst dose (2.4-2.541%). • MoO biodiesel yield was 98.87%, and WCO yield was 97.53%, meeting ASTM/EN standards. • E-factor (0.0114 for MoO, 0.0253 for WCO) confirms an eco-friendly, reusable process.