Fabrication and Optimization of Nanocatalyst for Biodiesel Production: An Overview

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 mainly the result of carbon fixation stored in plants and other products ultimately reducing the total amount of carbon dioxide. Different kind of biofuels like bioethanol, biomethanol, biogas and biodiesel are derived depending on the varieties of feedstock materials. However, in this review we have discussed the production of biofuels derived from various feedstock with emphasis on biodiesel production. Production of biofuels proceeds via many processes like anaerobic fermentation, pyrolysis, gasification and trans-esterification process. However, in biodiesel production, nanocatalyst plays an important role in maximizing its yield. Modification of nanocatalyst and its optimization parameters play a significant and pivotal role in the biodiesel production on a large scale. With the advent of nanotechnology, designing and modification of catalyst gives rise to attractive properties such as increased surface area, high thermal stability, and enhanced catalytic activity. Besides nanocatalyst, production of biodiesel can also be enhanced greatly by optimizing the reaction parameters, thereby increasing the quality and quantity of biodiesel on a large scale.