Submit to Catalysts Review for Catalysts Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomass Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2021) | Viewed by 36946

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Giancarlo Cravotto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
Interests: green chemistry; process intensification; green extraction; enabling technologies (ultrasound, microwaves, hydrodynamic cavitation, ball milling, flow chemistry); sustainable chemical processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Umer Rashid

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ION2), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Interests: catalysts; photocatalysis; nano-composites; wastewater treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Chawalit Ngamcharussrivichai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Center of Excellence in Catalysis for Bioenergy and Renewable Chemicals, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; adsorption; biomass conversion into biofuels and biochemicals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable catalysis is fundamental to attain the renewable energy. Regardless of the sources of energy – vegetable oil, biomass, – a renewable energy future will rely on the development of sustainable catalysts. Due to the challenges in the synthesis of existing catalysts, the transition toward cost-effective routes for the improvement of sustainable catalysts for renewable biofuel fuels, accelerate.

The role of catalysts is critical not only in the conversion process of biofuels systems but also making the overall process more efficient, less energy intensive and economically feasible. Improved sustainable catalysts are needed to increase process efﬁciency, reduce energy and produce cleaner products such as ultralow sulfur biodiesel. Recently, waste biomass-based catalysts such as biochar and seashells are utilized instead of costly commercial catalysts. Therefore, this special issue would cover how such cheap and effective sustainable catalysts could be developed for biofuels systems such as a catalytic approach for sustainable energy production.

For this Special Issue, we invite papers dealing with the development of bio-based heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of biodiesel production.

More specifically, topics of interest for the Special Issue include (but are not limited to):

Biomass
Bio-based catalysts
Bio-based magnetic catalysts
Bioproducts
Biorenewables
Bioenergy/biofuel byproducts
Biodiesel
Biolubricants
Bioethanol
Biomethane

Prof. Dr. Giancarlo Cravotto

Dr. Umer Rashid

Dr. Chawalit Ngamcharussrivichai

Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

bio-based catalysts;

bio-based magnetic catalysts;

biodiesel;

biomethanol;

biogas;

green diesel;

biolubricant;

bioenergy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 8405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Computational Assessment of Botrytis cinerea Lipase for Biofuel Production

by Tehsin Fatma, Zeeshan Zafar, Sidra Fatima, Rehan Zafar Paracha, Fazal Adnan, Zeshan, Nasar Virk and Muhammad Faraz Bhatti

Catalysts 2021, 11(11), 1319; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11111319 - 30 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3214

Abstract

The demand for ecofriendly green catalysts for biofuel synthesis is greatly increasing with the effects of fossil fuel depletion. Fungal lipases are abundantly used as biocatalysts for the synthesis of biofuel. The use of Botrytis cinerea lipase is an excellent approach for the conversion of agroindustrial residues into biofuel. In this study, phylogenetic analyses were carried out and the physicochemical properties of B. cinerea lipase were assessed. Furthermore, the protein structure of B. cinerea lipase was predicted and refined. Putative energy-rich phytolipid compounds were explored as a substrate for the synthesis of biofuel, owing to B. cinerea lipase catalysis. Approximately 161 plant-based fatty acids were docked with B. cinerea lipase in order to evaluate their binding affinities and interactions. Among the docked fatty acids, the top ten triglycerides having the lowest number of binding affinities with B. cinerea lipase were selected, and their interactions were assessed. The top three triglycerides having the greatest number of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions were selected for simulations of 20 ns. The docking and simulations revealed that docosahexaenoic acid, dicranin, and hexadeca-7,10,13-trienoic acid had stable bonding with the B. cinerea lipase. Therefore, B. cinerea lipase has the potential to be used for the transesterification of fatty acids into biofuels, whereas docosahexaenoic acid, dicranin, and hexadeca-7,10,13-trienoic acid can be used as substrates of B. cinerea lipase for biofuel synthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

20 pages, 3047 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Immobilization of Potassium-Based Heterogeneous Catalyst over Alumina Beads and Powder Support in the Transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil

by Muhammad Amirrul Hakim Lokman NolHakim, Norshahidatul Akmar Mohd Shohaimi, Wan Nur Aini Wan Mokhtar, Mohd Lokman Ibrahim and Rose Fadzilah Abdullah

Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080976 - 15 Aug 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3159

Abstract

In this work, the beads and powder potassium hydroxide (KOH) and potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) supported on alumina oxide (Al₂O₃) were successfully prepared via incipient wetness impregnation technique. Herein, the perforated hydrophilic materials (PHM) made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was used as the catalyst reactor bed. The prepared catalysts were investigated using TGA, XRD, BET, SEM-EDX, TPD, FTIR while spent catalysts were analyzed using XRF and ICP-AES to study its deactivation mechanism. The catalytic performance of beads and powder KOH/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ catalysts were evaluated via transesterification of waste cooking oil (WCO) to biodiesel. It was found that the optimum conditions for transesterification reaction were 1:12 of oil-to-methanol molar ratio and 5 wt.% of catalyst at 65 °C. As a result, the mesoporous size of beads KOH/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ catalysts yielded 86.8% and 77.3% at 2 h’ reaction time of fatty acids methyl ester (FAME), respectively. It was revealed that the utilization of PHM for beads K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ increase the reusability of the catalyst up to 7 cycles. Furthermore, the FAME produced was confirmed by the gas chromatography-mass spectroscopic technique. From this finding, beads KOH/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ catalysts showed a promising performance to convert WCO to FAME or known as biodiesel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Glucose Conversion into 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural over Niobium Oxides Supported on Natural Rubber-Derived Carbon/Silica Nanocomposite

by Rujeeluk Khumho, Satit Yousatit and Chawalit Ngamcharussrivichai

Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080887 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3265

Abstract

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is one of the most important lignocellulosic biomass-derived platform molecules for production of renewable fuel additives, liquid hydrocarbon fuels, and value-added chemicals. The present work developed niobium oxides (Nb₂O₅) supported on mesoporous carbon/silica nanocomposite (MCS), as novel solid base catalyst for synthesis of HMF via one-pot glucose conversion in a biphasic solvent. The MCS material was prepared via carbonization using natural rubber dispersed in hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) as a precursor. The Nb₂O₅ supported on MCS (Nb/MCS) catalyst with an niobium (Nb) loading amount of 10 wt.% (10-Nb/MCS) was characterized by high dispersion, and so tiny crystallites of Nb₂O₅, on the MCS surface, good textural properties, and the presence of Bronsted and Lewis acid sites with weak-to-medium strength. By varying the Nb loading amount, the crystallite size of Nb₂O₅ and molar ratio of Bronsted/Lewis acidity could be tuned. When compared to the pure silica HMS-supported Nb catalyst, the Nb/MCS material showed a superior glucose conversion and HMF yield. The highest HMF yield of 57.5% was achieved at 93.2% glucose conversion when using 10-Nb/MCS as catalyst (5 wt.% loading with respect to the mass of glucose) at 190 °C for 1 h. Furthermore, 10-Nb/MCS had excellent catalytic stability, being reused in the reaction for five consecutive cycles during which both the glucose conversion and HMF yield were insignificantly changed. Its superior performance was ascribed to the suitable ratio of Brønsted/Lewis acid sites, and the hydrophobic properties generated from the carbon moieties dispersed in the MCS nanocomposite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 2777 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of Alpha Olefins: Catalytic Decarbonylation of Carboxylic Acids and Vegetable Oil Deodorizer Distillate (VODD)

by Hang-Wai Lee and Ka-Fu Yung

Catalysts 2021, 11(8), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11080876 - 21 Jul 2021

Viewed by 2496

Abstract

Decarbonylation of carboxylic acids provides an effective protocol for producing alpha olefins; however, previous literature has focused on the palladium-bisphosphine catalysts and has only sporadically studied the palladium-monophosphine catalyst. To investigate the catalytic activity of the palladium-monophosphine catalyst on decarbonylation of carboxylic acids, new monophosphine ligands were synthesized (NP-1, NP-2, CP-1 and CP-2). By employing (1–3 mol%) palladium-naphthylphosphine catalysts, various carboxylic acids were converted into corresponding alpha alkenes with good yields and selectivity within a short period of time. Vegetable oil deodorizer distillate (VODD), which is a by-product from the vegetable oil refinery process, was found to be rich in free fatty acids and there is great interest in turning vegetable oil deodorizer distillate into value-added compounds. It is noteworthy that our catalytic system could be applied to convert vegetable oil deodorizer distillate (VODD) into diesel-like hydrocarbons in a good yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

11 pages, 2723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Route of Mixed Catalysis for Production of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters from Potential Seed Oil Sources

by Shazia Perveen, Muhammad Asif Hanif, Razyia Nadeem, Umer Rashid, Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Muhammad Zubair, Numrah Nisar, Fahad A. Alharthi and Bryan R. Moser

Catalysts 2021, 11(7), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11070811 - 1 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2640

Abstract

Depleting petroleum resources coupled with the environmental consequences of fossil fuel combustion have led to the search for renewable alternatives, such as biodiesel. In this study, sunflower (Helianthus annus), mustard (Brassica compestres) and pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) seed oils were converted into biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters) by acid-, base- and lipase-catalyzed transesterification, and the resultant fuel properties were determined. The methyl esters displayed superior iodine values (102–139), low densities, and a high cetane number (CN). The highest yield of biodiesel was obtained from mustard seed oil, which provided cloud (CP) and pour (PP) points of −3.5 and 5 °C, respectively, and a CN of 53. The sunflower seed oil methyl esters had a density of 0.81–0.86 kg/L at 16 °C, CP of 2 °C, PP of −8 °C, and a CN of 47. The pearl millet seed oil methyl esters yielded a density 0.87–0.89 kg/L, CP and PP of 4 °C and −5 °C, respectively, and a CN of 46. The major fatty acids identified in the sunflower, mustard, and pearl millet seed oils were linolenic (49.2%), oleic acid (82.2%), and linoleic acid (73.9%), respectively. The present study reports biodiesel with ideal values of CP and PP, to extend the use of biodiesel at the commercial level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2594 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Effect of Ni-Modified LSFCO Promoting Layer on the Gas Produced through Co-Electrolysis of CO₂ and H₂O at Intermediate Temperatures

by Massimiliano Lo Faro, Sabrina Campagna Zignani, Vincenzo Antonucci and Antonino Salvatore Aricò

Catalysts 2021, 11(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11010056 - 2 Jan 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2755

Abstract

The co-electrolysis of CO₂ and H₂O at an intermediate temperature is a viable approach for the power-to-gas conversion that deserves further investigation, considering the need for green energy storage. The commercial solid oxide electrolyser is a promising device, but it is still facing issues concerning the high operating temperatures and the improvement of gas value. In this paper we reported the recent findings of a simple approach that we have suggested for solid oxide cells, consisting of the addition of a functional layer coated to the fuel electrode of commercial electrochemical cells. This approach simplifies the transition to the next generation of cells manufactured with the most promising materials currently developed, and improves the gas value in the outlet stream of the cell. Here, the material in use as a coating layer consists of a Ni-modified La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O₃, which was developed and demonstrated as a promising fuel electrode for solid oxide fuel cells. The results discussed in this paper prove the positive role of Ni-modified perovskite as a coating layer for the cathode, since an improvement of about twofold was obtained as regards the quality of gas produced. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biodiesel: Modified Mixed Oxides as Catalyst for Transesterification of Rapeseed Oil

by Vávra Aleš, Tišler Zdeněk, Kocík Jaroslav and Smutek Jakub

Catalysts 2020, 10(12), 1397; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10121397 - 30 Nov 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1887

Abstract

Biodiesel, as one of the alternative biofuels replacing the common fossil fuels, is prepared by transesterification of oils and fats. Commonly, the reaction is catalysed by either acidic or basic catalysts. The availability of the active sites to large triglyceride molecules is the key factor of the heterogeneous catalysts. The use of carbon fibres during the synthesis of Mg/Fe layered double hydroxides results in the formation of macropores during the calcination. The amount of carbon fibres showed an important effect on the textural properties of the resulting mixed oxides. The texture was determined by N₂-adsorption and Hg-porosity. The catalyst activity in the studied reaction was examined by determination of ester amount by gas chromatography and the activity was compared with unmodified mixed oxides. The highest ester yield (40 wt.%) was achieved by adding 1 wt.% of carbon fibres to the catalyst with the largest size of macropores. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 757 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Activated Carbon to Obtain Biodiesel from Vegetable Oils

by Beata Edyta Narowska, Marek Kułażyński and Marcin Łukaszewicz

Catalysts 2020, 10(9), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10091049 - 11 Sep 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4070

Abstract

The methanolysis of refined vegetable oils (rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil and olive oil) using a heterogeneous carbonaceous catalyst was studied. Activated carbon (AC) was prepared from beech tree wood and used as the support for KOH and a lipase catalyst. The reactions were carried out for 1–4 h at 60 °C with a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 6:1 and 0.5–1.5 wt.% KOH/AC. In contrast, the biotransformation of vegetable oils was carried out for 24 h at 40 °C with an alcohol-to-oil molar ratio of 4:1 and 5 wt.% lipase/AC. The highest methanolysis yield (99%) for the fatty acid methyl esters was obtained for lipase/AC. These data show that activated carbon is a promising supporter for KOH as well as for lipase in the transesterification reaction of vegetable oils with methanol. The use of both catalysts in the transesterification reaction may improve biodiesel production. The lipase/AC enables the reduction in methanol excess and eliminates waste formation, whereas the saponification of triglycerides is scanty when KOH/AC is used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

40 pages, 1389 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanobiocatalysts for Biodiesel Synthesis through Transesterification—A Review

by Jawayria Najeeb, Sadia Akram, Muhammad Waseem Mumtaz, Muhammad Danish, Ahmad Irfan, Tooba Touqeer, Umer Rashid, Wan Azlina Wan Ab Karim Ghani and Thomas Shean Yaw Choong

Catalysts 2021, 11(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11020171 - 27 Jan 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3866

Abstract

Converting useless feedstock into biodiesel by utilizing the process of transesterification has been regarded as an alternative approach recently used to address the fuel and energy resources shortage issues. Nanobiocatalysts (NBCs), containing the biological component of lipase enzyme immobilized on nanomaterials (NMs), have also been presented as an advanced catalyst to effectively carry out the process of transesterification with appreciable yields. This study highlights the fundamentals associated with NBCs and the transesterification reaction catalyzed by NBCs for summarizing present academic literature reported in this research domain in recent years. Classification of the NBCs with respect to the nature of NMs and immobilization methods of lipase enzyme is also provided for organizing the recently documented case studies. This review is designed to act as a guideline for the researchers aiming to explore this domain of biodiesel production via NBCs as well as for the scholars looking to expand on this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 4857 KiB

Open AccessReview

Monolith Metal-Oxide-Supported Catalysts: Sorbent for Environmental Application

by Kiman Silas, Wan Azlina Wan Ab Karim Ghani, Thomas Shean Yaw Choong and Umer Rashid

Catalysts 2020, 10(9), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10091018 - 4 Sep 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3706

Abstract

The emission of untreated environmental harmful gases such as sulfur and nitrogen oxide (SOx and NOx) emissions is considered old fashioned, since industries are compelled by governments and legislations to meet the minimum threshold before emitting such substances into the atmosphere. Numerous research has been done and is ongoing to come up with both cost-effective equipment and regenerable catalysts that are adsorbent—or with enhanced sorption capacity—and with safer disposal methods. This work presents the general idea of a monolith/catalyst for environmental application and the technicality for improving the surface area for fast and efficient adsorption–desorption reactions. The chemical reactions, adsorption kinetics, and other properties, including deactivation, regeneration, and the disposal of a catalyst in view of environmental application, are extensively discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2664 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Enabling Technologies and Sustainable Catalysis in Biodiesel Preparation

by Fabio Bucciol, Mariachiara Colia, Emanuela Calcio Gaudino and Giancarlo Cravotto

Catalysts 2020, 10(9), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10090988 - 1 Sep 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3384

Abstract

Over the last decade, enabling technologies and sustainable catalysis have become appealing options for biodiesel preparation because of their impressive process intensification and energy savings. The present review will compare the most innovative protocols that have been developed and improved to use non-conventional energy sources and catalysts that are performed, in particular, using continuous-flow methods. Although this account cannot be comprehensive, it will, however, provide a good overview of the reaction-rate improvements and catalyst activation that is provided by microwaves, ultrasound, hydrodynamic cavitation, flow reactors and even hybrid techniques. Advantages and limitations are discussed together with industrial scalability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sustainable Catalysts for Biofuel Production

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (11 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI