Effect of Pretreatment of Activated Carbon on Iron Oxide-Loaded Catalysts to Significantly Enhance Production of Sebacic Acid from Castor Oil

Abstract

This study explores the efficient conversion of castor oil to sebacic acid utilizing iron oxide (Fe2O3) loaded on activated carbons as catalysts. Through a combination of saponification, acidification, and catalytic cracking, sebacic acid was produced with a notable yield improvement. The process involved using liquid paraffin as a thinning agent, overcoming the limitations of traditional toxic agents. The catalysts were prepared via adsorption-precipitation-calcination methods, with ultrasonication pretreatment to enhance iron adsorption on activated carbons. The chemical composition, structure, and morphology properties were investigated by different characterizations; such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG). Systematic investigations into the adsorption capacity, catalytic activity, and operational parameters like temperature, reaction time, and catalyst recycling were conducted. The optimized method achieved a sebacic acid yield of 83.4%, significantly higher than traditional methods (60.2%), with improved safety and environmental impact. The study provides valuable insights into sustainable and efficient sebacic acid production which is crucial for industrial applications in processing of castor oil.

Keywords

• sebacic acid
• Fe₂O₃
• activated carbon
• pretreatment
• high yield