KARAKTERISTIK FISIK NANOKOMPOSIT ZNO/Fe2O3 YANG DIBUAT MENGGUNAKAN FLAME SPRAY PYROLISIS DENGAN VARIASI LAJU ALIR GAS PEMBAWA

Abstract

Biodiesel is a very potential alternative energy resources. Producing of Biodiesel was much carried out using homogeneous catalytic esterification of vegetable oil and alcohol. These proces had many disanvantages. ZnO as a transesterification catalyst has given high yield. To improve the catalytic performance, the surface area per mas of catalyst must be increased by decreasing the size of particle. To ease the separation between product and catalyst, the magnetic behaviour should be added to the catalyst. The aim of the research were to obtain nanocomposite ZnO/Fe2O3 and determine physical characteristic as well as catalytic and separation performance. Nanocomposite ZnO/Fe2O3 was synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis method. Assisted by carrier air precursor solution of Zn(NO3)2 and Fe(NO3)3 was nebulized and flowed to the inner tube of the burner. Nebulasation was carried out by varying carrier gas flow rate but at constant rateof nebulization. LPG gas dan oxidant air were flowed to the inner annulus and outer annulus, respectively. The solid produced was separated from gas by particle filter. The solid particle was then examined by XRD , FE-SEM and BET as wel as catalytic performance. The result showed that the crystalinity of samples decreased by increasing the carrier gas flow rate. The particle size was not influenced by carrier gas flow rate and the size were dominantly between 50-100 nm. A part of particle was flowerlike particle. The specific surface area of particle was not inflenced by carrier gas flow rate and its value was 50.5 m2/gram.