Carbon‐Based Catalysts Synthesized From Bio‐Waste for Yielding Butyl Butyrate by Esterification Reaction: Experimental and Kinetic Study

ABSTRACT In the present research work, a porous carbon‐based heterogeneous catalyst has been prepared for the esterification of butyric acid with n‐butanol to produce butyl butyrate. Butyl butyrate has exhibited promising characteristics as a jet fuel blend. Its physical properties partially meet the criteria for alternative aviation fuels, and it can be blended with conventional jet fuel up to 50%, thereby reducing carbon monoxide emissions. The reaction parameters and catalyst properties are crucial to achieve higher conversion in the esterification reaction. The catalyst was prepared from cheaper waste products such as groundnut shells and orange peels. Characterization methods, namely X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transport infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are employed to assess the properties and characteristics of catalysts. The performance of catalysts was examined by the esterification of butyric acid with n‐butanol. The conversion of butyric acid achieved 66.88% and 61.57% at operating temperature 80°C, catalyst concentration 3% (w/w) and molar ratio 1:1 by using groundnut shell catalyst (GSC) and orange peels catalyst (OPC), respectively. Moreover, the effect of different parameters, namely reaction temperature, catalyst concentration and molar ratio of reactants on the conversion of butyric acid has been assessed.