Novel method to measure methanol in biodiesel green fuel

Analytical chemists in Iran used polymeric nanostructures synthesized through electrochemical methods and obtained a substance sensitive to methanol to measure it in the biodiesel green fuel. This plan has applications in various industries in which methanol measurement is important. Mohsen Babayee, PhD undergraduate in analytical chemistry in Trabiat Modarres University, elaborated on the research, and said, “The aim of the research was first to produce a nanostructured gas sensor based on conductive polymer on interdigit beds through electrochemical methods." "Taking into consideration the selective respond of the sensor towards methanol and the fact that the measurement of this alcohol is important (it is used in the production of biodiesel), the measurement of methanol existing in the biodiesel became important as one of the analytical applications of the gas sensor.” “A biodiesel sample made of oil residues was selected in Agriculture Department of Tarbiat Modarres University to carry out other tests. Three samples were made from the biodiesel. In order to measure methanol in those samples, biodiesel samples were introduced to the sensor, and the amount of methanol existing in the biodiesel was calculated by using the curves,” he stated. Results showed that the polymer synthesized by anion per chlorite and special stream is homogenous and contains nanometric particles. The nanostructure surface of the nanosensor increases the contact surface between the nanosensor and the gas being analyzed. It helps the sensor to detect and measure gases at very low concentrations. Therefore, the sensor has better sensitivity and detection limit in order to analyze methanol at room temperature. As a result, the sensor can be used in the measurement of methanol in biodiesel. Results of the research have been published on 5 July 2013 in Sensor and Actuators B: Chemical, vol. 183. For more information about the details of the research, study the full article on pages 617-626 on the same journal.