Synthesis of the Magnetic Nanoferrites of Spinel Type and Use in Esterification Reaction for Biodiesel Obtaining

Nanotechnology has been important in improving of the properties of the materials used in the manufacture of magnetic devices, electromagnetic radiation absorbers, cell telephony, pigments and lately in catalysis in transesterification and esterification reactions to biodiesel obtaining. The objective of this work was to synthesize and characterize magnetic materials of spinel type compound of CuFe2O4, CoFe2O4, MnFe2O4, NiFe2O4 and FeFe2O4 and to check the catalytic effect on the methyl esterification reaction of soybean oil. The samples were obtained by combustion reaction and characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET and SEM. The results analysis revealed for nanoferrites the spinel phase formation and higher specific area to the sample CoFe2O4. Generally the samples presented in irregular agglomerates form. All samples were catalytically active in the esterification reaction, with the highest conversion obtained by the sample MnFe2O4 with 57%.