Issue 82, 2016, Issue in Progress

Efficient biodiesel production via solid superacid catalysis: a critical review on recent breakthrough

Abstract

Biodiesel produced from triglycerides and/or free fatty acids (FFAs) by transesterification and esterification has attracted immense attention during the past decades as a biodegradable, renewable and sustainable fuel. Currently, the use of solid superacid catalysts has proved a more efficient and “green” approach due to avoidance of environmental and corrosion problems and reduced product purification procedures. However, it is less viable economically because the reusability is low due to the lack of a hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance in the reactions that involve the use of inedible feedstock with a high water content. Therefore, this study gives a critical review on recent strategies towards efficient and “green” production of biodiesel via solid superacid catalysis. The strategies discussed include alkyl-bridged organosilica moieties functionalized hybrid catalysis to improve the hydrothermal stability of superacid catalysts, pre- and in situ water removal, and process intensification via temperature profile reduction. The strategies enabled well-defined porosity and an excellent hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity balance, which suppressed deactivation by water and glycerol.

Graphical abstract: Efficient biodiesel production via solid superacid catalysis: a critical review on recent breakthrough

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
01 Apr 2016
Accepted
02 Aug 2016
First published
04 Aug 2016

RSC Adv., 2016,6, 78351-78368

Efficient biodiesel production via solid superacid catalysis: a critical review on recent breakthrough

P. A. Alaba, Y. M. Sani and W. M. Ashri Wan Daud, RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 78351 DOI: 10.1039/C6RA08399D

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