Synthesis of Ethyl Ester Sulfonate Surfactant (EESS) from Castor Oil via Transesterification and Sulfonation for Detergent Application
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Date
2023-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Due to the need to preserve natural resources, there is a growing need for renewable and biodegradable raw materials for industrial production. According to oleochemistry research, renewable resources have advantages over petrochemicals that make them ideal for making ecologically and consumer-friendly goods. In this investigation, unusual and environmentally friendly methods were used. Transesterification of castor oil was followed by sulfonation with sulfuric acid to produce anionic ethyl ester sulfonate (EES) surfactant. The synthesis of fatty acid esters from castor oil utilizing ethanol as a transesterifying agent and an alkaline catalyst was improved using a box behnken experimental design that took into account variables (reaction duration, catalyst quantity, and oil:ethanol molar ratio). Using a response surface curve and analysis of variance, the impacts and significance of the models on the response variable and ethyl ester yield produced from castor oil were investigated. The best yield was obtained using an oil:ethanol molar ratio of 1:16, a catalyst concentration of 1.00 wt.%, and an 80-minute reaction period. The effects of the EESS sulfonation reaction variables (sulfonation temperature, sulfonation duration, and sulfonating agent/ethyl ester (EE) molar ratio) on yield were studied using a one variable at a time experimental design (OVAT). According to the OVAT study, the best sulfonation settings for synthesizing EESS from castor oil were 80°C sulfonation temperature, 3.00 hours sulfonation duration, and a molar ratio of 1:1 H2SO4/EE, resulting in an EESS yield of 78.4%. The FTIR and NMR (-CH) groups, as shown by the FTIR and NMR (-CH) groups, were verified in the synthesized product, indicating the intended EESS product. EESS had a critical micelle concentration of 1.57 mol/L and an active matter concentration of 64.35%.
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Ethyl ester sulfonate surfactant, sulfonation, transesterification