Biodiesel production from Camptotheca acuminata seed oil catalyzed by novel Brönsted–Lewis acidic ionic liquid

In the present research, microwave-assisted biodiesel production from Camptotheca acuminata seed oil catalyzed by novel Brönsted–Lewis acidic ionic liquid (IL) was investigated. A series of IL catalysts were prepared using Brönsted acidic IL [BSO3HMIM]HSO4 with various metal sulfates for the first time, and the catalytic mechanism of transesterification reaction using the prepared Brönsted–Lewis acidic IL was clarified. The results showed that [BSO3HMIM]HSO4–Fe2(SO4)3 represented a superior catalytic activity. Meanwhile, the parameters affecting the microwave-assisted conversion process were studied. A high conversion yield (95.7%) was achieved in short duration (about 60 min) under relatively low temperature (60 °C). Analyzing the FAMEs composition by GC–MS and main properties demonstrated that the biodiesel product prepared from C. acuminata seed oil was of high quality. In addition, a kinetic model was established for the conversion process. The results showed that microwave-assisted biodiesel production catalyzed by Brönsted–Lewis acidic IL was an efficient and environment-friendly technology for bioenergy industry.