Equilibrium Journal of Chemical Engineering
Vol 9, No 2 (2025): Volume 9, No 2 December 2025

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Bi-Functional Catalyst from Mixture of Agro-Wastes Using Hydrothermal-Sulphonation Method

Nwachukwu, Ifeanyi Michael (Unknown)
Ulakpa, Wisdom Chukwuemeke (Unknown)
Eyide, Odeworitse (Unknown)
Ekpenkhio, Josephine Eguare (Unknown)
Akhabue, Christopher Ehiaguina (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Nov 2025

Abstract

Abstract. This research illustrates the development of a bi-functional catalyst derived from a blend of agricultural waste materials, employing a hydrothermal method. The precursor materials included cocoa pods, eggshells, snail shells, and orange peels. The resulting bi-functional catalyst underwent characterization through a variety of techniques, such as FTIR, XRF, XRD, SEM, TGA-DTA, and both single-point and multi-point BET analyses. The FTIR and XRD analyses distinctly indicated the transformation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from the agro-waste precursors into calcium oxide (CaO). XRD further validated the crystalline structures and identified the oxide minerals present within the catalyst using an X-ray diffractometer. The DTA-DSC curve displayed notable endothermic peaks at 400 °C, indicating a decomposition reaction that leads to the formation of a new compound. The surface area of the bi-functional catalyst was assessed using single-point and multi-point Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) methods, yielding values of 87.94 m²/g and 159.4 m²/g, respectively. Additionally, the adsorption surface area of the catalyst's pore size was measured at 165 m²/g, while the Langmuir surface area was found to be 2792 m²/g, as determined by the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) method. The mean pore volume was calculated to be 812.5 cc/g, and the average pore diameter was 2.138 nm, as established through BJH analysis. The diverse surface property results underscore the substantial influence of surface area on the catalyst's activity, as a larger surface area facilitates more efficient interactions between reactants and active sites. Consequently, the agricultural waste materials represent a promising source of calcium oxide for various applications across numerous scientific and engineering disciplines. Keywords: Bi-functional, Cocoa pods, Eggshells, Snail shells, Orange peels 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

equilibrium

Publisher

Subject

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Chemistry Energy Engineering Materials Science & Nanotechnology

Description

Equilibrium Journal of Chemical Engineering (EJChE) publishes communication articles, original research articles and review articles in :. Material Development Biochemical Process Exploration and Optimization Chemical Education Chemical Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Designing, Modeling, and ...