| dc.description.abstract | Methyl ester from palm oil (RBD palm olein) has been synthesized through a
transesterification reaction using cocoa shell ash (Theobroma cacao) as a
heterogeneous catalyst. Cocoa shell powder was analyzed using Thermogravimetric
Analysis (TGA), then calcined at 750oC for 4 hours then the ash obtained was
analyzed using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fouries Transform Infrared (FT-IR)
Spectrophotometer. The analysis results showed that cocoa shell ash contained
88.81% K2O compounds. The reaction conditions carried out in this study were
variations in reaction time (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes) and molar ratio of oil:
methanol (1:9, 1:12, 1:15, 1:17, and 1: 19) at a stirring speed of 6000 rpm, and a
catalyst weight of 7% (w/w). The conversion of methyl esters was analyzed using Gas
Chromatography (GC) and the change in functional groups from oil to methyl esters
was measured using an FT-IR spectrophotometer. The highest conversion and yield
of methyl ester for reaction time was obtained at 96.19 ± 0.24% and 96.12 ± 2.01%,
namely at a reaction time of 20 minutes, molar ratio 1:15, stirring speed 6000 rpm,
and catalyst weight 7% w/w. The highest conversion of methyl ester for the molar
ratio of palm oil to methanol was obtained at 96.19 ± 0.24%, namely at a molar ratio
of 1:15, catalyst weight of 7%, stirring speed of 6000 rpm, and reaction time of 20
minutes. The highest yield of methyl ester for the molar ratio of palm oil to methanol
was obtained at 97.22% ± 1.50%, namely at a molar ratio of 1:17, catalyst weight of
7%, stirring speed of 6000 rpm, and reaction time of 20 minutes. The formation of
methyl ester is characterized by differences in the shape of the stretching vibration
peak -C-O-C- at wave numbers 1300-1000 cm-1 where in oil the strongest absorption
of the 3 peaks is in the second position (middle) while in methyl ester the strongest
absorption appears at rightmost position. | en_US |
