DEVELOPMENT OF ALKYL ESTER HETEROGENEOUS CATALYST FROM BIOPOLYMER (CASSAVA AND YAM STARCH) A NOVEL APPROACH JOHN NOSAKHARE ENG/2332300004

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The development of sustainable energy solutions is a pressing concern in light of global climate

change and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Biodiesel, a renewable and environmentally

friendly fuel, has emerged as a viable alternative to conventional diesel. Biodiesel is composed

of alkyl esters derived from the transesterification of triglycerides (oils or fats) with alcohol,

typically methanol or ethanol, in the presence of a catalyst. While biodiesel offers significant

environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and biodegradability,

challenges such as production costs and the sourcing of efficient catalysts persist (Atadashi et al.,

2018).

Catalysts play a pivotal role in the biodiesel production process, influencing reaction efficiency

and product yield. Conventional homogeneous catalysts, such as sodium hydroxide and

potassium hydroxide, have been widely used due to their high activity. However, they pose

several drawbacks, including corrosion, challenges in separating the catalyst from the product,

and environmental concerns associated with wastewater generation (Lam & Lee, 2018). To

address these issues, researchers are increasingly turning to heterogeneous catalysts, which are

reusable, more environmentally friendly, and facilitate easier product separation.

Biopolymers derived from agricultural products, particularly starches, offer a promising avenue

for the development of novel heterogeneous catalysts. Starches, abundant in crops such as

cassava and yam, are polysaccharides composed of amylose and amylopectin, which can be

modified to enhance their catalytic properties. These materials are not only renewable and

biodegradable but also exhibit high thermal stability and versatility for chemical modifications

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