Simple Niobium Catalysts Applied in Reflux and Ultrasound-Assisted Systems for Biofuel Synthesis

Using niobium compounds as heterogeneous catalysts in biodiesel production is a promising methodology from economic and environmental viewpoints. However, the application of niobium catalysts still is a challenge due to the high temperatures and pressures for moderate biofuel yields. Therefore, easily handled and applied materials have been developed to optimize biofuel production, which is the goal of this study. Nb2O5 and ammonium niobium oxalate (AmNO) were activated in reflux and ultrasound-assisted system. Nb2O5 showed better activity under reflux, using methanol. The characterizations conclude that the Lewis-acid sites are determinant for higher conversion rather than surface area. AmNO has better activity also in the reflux system at 70 ºC, against 170 ºC for Nb2O5, reaching above 70% conversion. In addition, reactions in ultrasound-assisted systems are also appealing due to the lower time and temperature, with conversion rates above 40%. Both catalysts showed interesting results under milder conditions than those in the literature.