FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF RUBBER SEED OIL AND ITS BIODIESEL

• F I OTU

  Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• E I BELLO

  1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• T I OGEDENGBE

  1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

• L LAJIDE

  Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State,Nigeria

The characteristics of the molecular vibrations of rubber seed oil and its biodiesel were determined using Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. Rubber seed oil was extracted from rubber seeds using soxhlet extractor. The rubber seed oil was then used to produce biodiesel through transesterification of the triglycerides in the vegetable oil using methanol and sodium hydroxide catalyst. The two samples were subjected to FTIR spectroscopic test and the obtained FTIR spectra were interpreted and analyzed with the aid of infrared interpretation rules and correlation charts. The functional group and molecular vibration of the rubber seed oil and rubber seed oil biodiesel were also determined using the FTIR spectroscopy. The biodiesel functional groups and molecular vibration were then compared to the benchmark diesel as a control. The major functional groups identified in the FTIR spectra are C=0, (CH₂)_n, - C-0, C=C, C- H and O-CH₃. The produced and characterized biodiesel contained the fatty acid methyl esters. The rubber seed oil biodiesel consists mainly of alkyl esters. Inferring from the results obtained, it can be said that FTIR spectroscopy can successfully be used to quantitatively analyze the contents of rubber seed oil and its derived biodiesel. The biodiesel produced can used as fuel for diesel engines.

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