Copper and calcium-based metal organic framework (MOF) catalyst for biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: A process optimization study

[Display omitted] •Cu and Ca-based MOFs was synthesized and tested for biodiesel production from WCO.•Process Optimization was performed using response surface methodology.•The catalyst loading and alcohol-oil ratio showed leading process variable.•Cu + Ca-MOF catalyst produced 84.5% biodiesel yield under optimum conditions. Due to the diminution of conventional fuels, biodiesel has attracted acute attention due to its renewable and zero-emission features. However, cleaner production of biodiesel on an industrial scale requires a stable heterogeneous, low cost and recyclable catalyst. This study presents the preparation and application of copper and calcium-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as catalysts in the esterification and transesterification reactions for biodiesel production from waste cooking oil (WCO). The synthesized catalysts are characterized using XRD, SEM, TGA, FTIR and BET. The catalyst characterization indicates the formations of the cubical structure of MOFs with a crystallite size of