Transesterification of palm cooking oil using barium-containing titanates and their sodium doped derivatives

BaTiO3, Ba2NiTi5O13 and their Na-doped analogues were successfully synthesized via sol–gel and calcination methods. The surface properties of the prepared catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis while the basicity was determined by benzoic acid titration. The catalytic activity of the Ba-based catalysts was verified in transesterification of palm cooking oil with methanol. The optimization study was conducted by varying the oil:methanol ratio, catalyst loading, reaction temperature and duration. The highest methyl ester (ME) yield was ~95% for 5 wt/v% Na-Ba2NiTi5O13 at a methanol to oil ratio of 12:1 at 150 °C for 2 h.