DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jksa.29.9.608-617

Biodiesel Synthesis from Palm Acid Oil with Sulfonated Activated Carbon Catalyst from Rice Husk

1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, Indonesia

2Department of Applied Sciences, School of Vocational Studies, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, Indonesia

Received: 14 Jun 2026; Revised: 20 Sep 2026; Accepted: 25 Sep 2026; Published: 30 Oct 2026.
Open Access Copyright 2026 Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

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Abstract
The use of non-edible oil as a raw material and the use of biomass waste as a catalyst in the biodiesel production process is a strategic step due to the various advantages it offers. Palm acid oil (PAO), which is a waste from the palm oil processing industry, has great potential to be used as a raw material in biodiesel production, while rice husks can be processed and their properties modified to be used as a catalyst in the biodiesel formation reaction. This study aims to determine the characteristics and catalytic performance of sulfonated activated carbon from rice husks in the synthesis of biodiesel from PAO. Biodiesel was synthesized at various molar ratios of PAO to methanol of (1:16), (1:24), and (1:32). The reaction was carried out at a temperature of 65°C for 2 hours, with catalyst levels varied at 2, 3, and 5%. The results of the study showed that the best catalytic performance of sulfonated rice husk activated carbon in the synthesis of biodiesel from PAO was achieved at a mole ratio of PAO to methanol of (1:32) and a catalyst content of 2%. Under these synthesis conditions, the highest degree of conversion of free fatty acids into biodiesel was achieved, namely 85.08%, and biodiesel was produced with a yield of 99.20%. Further quality parameter testing of the biodiesel obtained density, kinematic viscosity, acid number, iodine number, cetane number, total glycerol content, and methyl ester content of biodiesel were 861.12 kg/m3, 5.38 mm2/s, 2.88 mg KOH/g, 63.45 g I2/100 g, 62.51, 0.29%, and 95.37%, respectively.
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Keywords: biodiesel; sulfonated activated carbon; palm acid oil; alkali fusion; rice husk

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Section: Research Articles
Language : EN
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