Fabrication and Optimization of Nanocatalyst for Biodiesel Production: An Overview

Abstract

Necessity and exploitation of fossil fuel products are implacable in serving the needs of humanity despite being a finite and limited resource. To meet the thrust of energy, biofuels derived from varieties of renewable resources are imperative in fulfilling the demand of renewable fuels on a large scale without creating environmental concerns. Biofuels are inevitably the result of the carbon fixation process which stores chemical energy, ultimately reducing the total amount of carbon dioxide. Different kinds of biofuels like bioethanol, biomethanol, biogas, and biodiesel are derived depending on varieties of feedstock materials. Among these, production of biodiesel augments the progression of clean and renewable fuel. In this review, we have discussed the production of biodiesel derived from various feedstock and using several processes like pyrolysis, direct blending, micro-emulsion, and trans-esterification, with critical discussion focussing on increasing biodiesel production using nanocatalysts. Biodiesel production mainly proceeds through homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis via trans-esterification method. The review further discusses the significance of nanocatalyst in heterogeneous catalysis based trans-esterification for large scale biodiesel production. With the advent of nanotechnology, designing and modification of nanocatalyst gives rise to attractive properties such as increased surface area, high thermal stability, and enhanced catalytic activity. The role of nanocatalysts have been extensively studied and investigated in regard to the increased biodiesel production. Along with the modification of nanocatalysts, we have briefly discussed the physico-chemical properties and the role of the optimization parameters as it plays a pivotal role in enhancing the biodiesel production commercially.

Possibility of Using Commercial Hydrated Lime as a Catalyst for Rapeseed Oil Methanolysis

“…The effect of transesterification reaction time on density and viscosity of biodiesel from rapeseed oil is shown in Fig 11. The results of the densities of biodiesel obtained after 60, 120 and 180 min reaction time (0.898, 0.882 and 0.884 g/cm 3 ) show that the density of vegetable oil is reduced by transesterification [74]. Since the viscosities of biodiesel after 60 and 180 min of methanolysis were higher (5.776 and 3.116 mm 2 /s) than after 120 min (2.64 mm 2 /s), and the FAME yields after 60 and 180 min were lower (68.04 and 96.4%) than those after 120 min (98.76%), an inverse correlation between viscosity and the achieved biodiesel yield at all given periods of methanolysis is observed.…”

Prospects of Catalysis for Process Sustainability of Eco-Green Biodiesel Synthesis via Transesterification: A State-Of-The-Art Review

“…A suitable solid acid catalyst is of great interest for conducting esterification of free fatty acids in feedstock oil and transesterification of triglycerides simultaneously. Furthermore, these catalysts allow simple and easy incorporation into continuous packed bed operation in flow reactors and reduce waste formation [36]. In this scenario, different solid acids have ion exchange resins, H-form zeolites, sulfonated catalysts (carbon based), sulfated metal oxides, silica materials, acidic ionic liquids, heteropolyacids have been studied as best catalysts.…”

“…The irregular conduct and unpredictable behavior of nano-solid catalysts and a surface has been consistently followed and systematically comprehended because, with diminution in atomic coordination as well as its sub ordinates/derivatives (size support and reliance) on electron phonon coupling, crystal binding intensity, atomic trapping have potential. By precisely adjusting the surface composition, shape, spatial position, size, electronic structure, synthetic and thermal reliability of discrete nano-composites, it can be broadly used in field of catalysis with innovative features and activity [36,59].…”

Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Biomass as One of the Most Promising Alternatives for the Synthesis of Advanced Liquid Biofuels: A Review

“…As a product of the reaction, biodiesel is obtained, which has to be purified for later use as a biofuel. In addition, the transesterification reaction gives rise to other products, such as fatty acids or glycerin, which are used in the food industry and in the cosmetic industry [ 20 , 24 , 25 ].…”