Progress and Challenges in the Process of Using Solid Waste as a Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis

Biodiesel, as one of the alternatives to fossil fuels, faces significant challenges in large-scale industrial production due to its high production costs. In addition to raw material costs, catalyst costs are also a critical factor that cannot be overlooked. This review summarizes various methods fo...

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Main Authors: Zhaolin Dong, Kaili Dong, Haotian Li, Liangyi Zhang, Yitong Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/15/3243
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author Zhaolin Dong
Kaili Dong
Haotian Li
Liangyi Zhang
Yitong Wang
author_facet Zhaolin Dong
Kaili Dong
Haotian Li
Liangyi Zhang
Yitong Wang
author_sort Zhaolin Dong
collection DOAJ
description Biodiesel, as one of the alternatives to fossil fuels, faces significant challenges in large-scale industrial production due to its high production costs. In addition to raw material costs, catalyst costs are also a critical factor that cannot be overlooked. This review summarizes various methods for preparing biodiesel catalysts from solid waste. These methods not only enhance the utilization rate of waste but also reduce the production costs and environmental impact of biodiesel. Finally, the limitations of waste-based catalysts and future research directions are discussed. Research indicates that solid waste can serve as a catalyst carrier or active material for biodiesel production. Methods such as high-temperature calcination, impregnation, and coprecipitation facilitate structural modifications to the catalyst and the formation of active sites. The doping of metal ions not only alters the catalyst’s acid-base properties but also forms stable metal bonds with functional groups on the carrier, thereby maintaining catalyst stability. The application of microwave-assisted and ultrasound-assisted methods reduces reaction parameters, making biodiesel production more economical and sustainable. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for the reuse of solid waste and ecological protection, emphasizes the development potential of waste-based catalysts in biodiesel production, and offers unique insights for innovation in this field, thereby accelerating the commercialization of biodiesel.
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spelling doaj-art-b29804429bf7480082ecb0cf3b481b1f2025-08-20T03:36:22ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-08-013015324310.3390/molecules30153243Progress and Challenges in the Process of Using Solid Waste as a Catalyst for Biodiesel SynthesisZhaolin Dong0Kaili Dong1Haotian Li2Liangyi Zhang3Yitong Wang4College of Metallurgy and Energy, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Street, Tangshan 063210, ChinaCollege of Metallurgy and Energy, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Street, Tangshan 063210, ChinaCollege of Metallurgy and Energy, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Street, Tangshan 063210, ChinaCollege of Metallurgy and Energy, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Street, Tangshan 063210, ChinaCollege of Metallurgy and Energy, North China University of Science and Technology, 21 Bohai Street, Tangshan 063210, ChinaBiodiesel, as one of the alternatives to fossil fuels, faces significant challenges in large-scale industrial production due to its high production costs. In addition to raw material costs, catalyst costs are also a critical factor that cannot be overlooked. This review summarizes various methods for preparing biodiesel catalysts from solid waste. These methods not only enhance the utilization rate of waste but also reduce the production costs and environmental impact of biodiesel. Finally, the limitations of waste-based catalysts and future research directions are discussed. Research indicates that solid waste can serve as a catalyst carrier or active material for biodiesel production. Methods such as high-temperature calcination, impregnation, and coprecipitation facilitate structural modifications to the catalyst and the formation of active sites. The doping of metal ions not only alters the catalyst’s acid-base properties but also forms stable metal bonds with functional groups on the carrier, thereby maintaining catalyst stability. The application of microwave-assisted and ultrasound-assisted methods reduces reaction parameters, making biodiesel production more economical and sustainable. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for the reuse of solid waste and ecological protection, emphasizes the development potential of waste-based catalysts in biodiesel production, and offers unique insights for innovation in this field, thereby accelerating the commercialization of biodiesel.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/15/3243solid wastecatalystesterificationtransesterificationbiodiesel
spellingShingle Zhaolin Dong
Kaili Dong
Haotian Li
Liangyi Zhang
Yitong Wang
Progress and Challenges in the Process of Using Solid Waste as a Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis
Molecules
solid waste
catalyst
esterification
transesterification
biodiesel
title Progress and Challenges in the Process of Using Solid Waste as a Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis
title_full Progress and Challenges in the Process of Using Solid Waste as a Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis
title_fullStr Progress and Challenges in the Process of Using Solid Waste as a Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis
title_full_unstemmed Progress and Challenges in the Process of Using Solid Waste as a Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis
title_short Progress and Challenges in the Process of Using Solid Waste as a Catalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis
title_sort progress and challenges in the process of using solid waste as a catalyst for biodiesel synthesis
topic solid waste
catalyst
esterification
transesterification
biodiesel
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/15/3243
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AT kailidong progressandchallengesintheprocessofusingsolidwasteasacatalystforbiodieselsynthesis
AT haotianli progressandchallengesintheprocessofusingsolidwasteasacatalystforbiodieselsynthesis
AT liangyizhang progressandchallengesintheprocessofusingsolidwasteasacatalystforbiodieselsynthesis
AT yitongwang progressandchallengesintheprocessofusingsolidwasteasacatalystforbiodieselsynthesis