Waste-Derived Catalysts for Sustainable Biodiesel Production: Current Status on Catalyst Development and Future Prospectives

The extensive use of fossil resources in fuel production, leading to the emission of high levels of anthropogenic gases and atmospheric degradation, is a cause for concern. Consequently, exploring substitutes for fossil fuels and renewable raw materials in the production of sustainable fuels has become a critical area of research. Over the past decades, significant efforts have been dedicated to researching renewable and eco-friendly fuels from diverse sources. A prominent avenue of investigation involves biodiesel production from fats and oils through the uncomplicated process of transesterification, utilizing acid–base catalysts. The design of these catalysts is pivotal, not only for ensuring efficient conversion but also for achieving high biodiesel selectivity and enhancing the techno-economics of the process. Strategic selection of raw materials, such as non-edible fats and oils, is crucial to elevate the process's importance and mitigate potential conflicts between food and fuel resources. Furthermore, catalyst design and synthesis play a crucial role in refining the biodiesel production process. Particularly, catalysts derived from waste, featuring precise active sites, are recognized as important tools for achieving enhanced catalyst activity at reduced costs. Therefore, this review examines the trajectory of catalyst development for biodiesel production from various feedstocks, with a primary focus on the design of waste-derived catalytic nanostructured materials for sustainable development. It is anticipated that this review will provide insights into the next generation of sustainable biodiesel production methods.

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