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Z-type ZnO/CeO2@g-CN photocatalyst for efficient pre-esterification of waste cooking oil: Optimization, kinetics, and thermodynamics

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  • Wang, Luyao
  • Dong, Chunting
  • Yuan, Zong
  • Wang, Zeyu
  • Lu, Jie
  • Ding, Jincheng

Abstract

This study investigated the application of ZnO/CeO2@g-CN as a photocatalyst for the pre-esterification of waste cooking oil (WCO), to reduce its free fatty acid (FFAs) content before the conversion into biodiesel. The synthesized photocatalyst was characterized using FT-IR, XRD, BET, XPS, SEM-EDS, UV–vis, and PL techniques. In addition, response surface methodology (RSM) combined with the Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the esterification reaction parameters. Under the optimized conditions: a molar ratio of alcohol to oil of 8.87:1, a reaction temperature of 74.56 °C, a reaction time of 2.24 h, and a catalyst dosage of 3.20 wt%, the FFA conversion reached 97.67 ± 0.54 %. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited excellent reusability, maintaining an FFAs conversion of 93.60 % after four cycles. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses both revealed that the esterification reaction followed second-order reaction kinetics and was an endothermic and non-spontaneous process.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Luyao & Dong, Chunting & Yuan, Zong & Wang, Zeyu & Lu, Jie & Ding, Jincheng, 2026. "Z-type ZnO/CeO2@g-CN photocatalyst for efficient pre-esterification of waste cooking oil: Optimization, kinetics, and thermodynamics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:258:y:2026:i:c:s0960148125025832
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124919
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    References listed on IDEAS

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