INFLUENCE OF TiO2 NANOPARTICLES ON PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF TRANSESTERIFIED SHEA BUTTER OIL

Abstract

Environmental concerns in fossil fuel depletion necessitated the search for alternative fuel from

renewable resources. Biodiesel derived from oil crops is a potential renewable and carbon

neutral alternative to petroleum fuels. The recent trend is attempt to develop biodiesel from oil

crops oil. The focus of this study is to investigate the influence of TiO2nano particles on

physiochemical properties of transesterified Shea butter oil. The crude Shea butter oil was

purified, transesterified and nanoparticles were dispersed in the transesterified oil with

concentration ranging from 0.2% to 1.0% in 0.2% interval. Fourier Transform Infrared spectra

(FTIR) was used to examine the structures of the samples.The viscosity, pour point and the flash

point were studied. It was found out among other things that small amount of (TiO20.6%)

nanoparticles in the oil could improve the physical properties of the fluid. The nanofluid with

0.6% concentration of TiO2 appears to have optimum physical property.