Biodiesel synthesis using chicken manure biochar and waste cooking oil

[Display omitted] •Biodiesel synthesis using chicken manure biochar.•Establish a green platform for producing biodiesel using chicken manure biochar.•Enhanced yield of biodiesel using chicken manure biochar due to strong catalytic capability.•95.6% of the FAME yield using chicken manure biochar generated from 350°C. This study laid an emphasis on the possible employment of biochar generated from pyrolysis of chicken manure to establish a green platform for producing biodiesel. To this end, the pseudo-catalytic transesterification reaction using chicken manure biochar and waste cooking oil was investigated. Compared with a commercial porous material (SiO2), chicken manure biochar generated from 350°C showed better performance, resulting in 95.6% of the FAME yield at 350°C. The Ca species in chicken manure biochar imparted strong catalytic capability by providing the basicity for transesterification. The identified catalytic effect also led to the thermal cracking of unsaturated FAMEs, which decreased the overall FAME yield. For example, 40–60% of converted FAMEs were thermally degraded. To avoid undesirable thermal cracking arising from the high content of the Ca species in chicken manure biochar, the fabrication of chicken manure biochar at temperatures ≥350°C was highly recommended.