Waste materials as potential catalysts for biodiesel production: Current state and future scope

Recent studies on the exploration of eco-friendly approach by utilizing large-scale waste materials as potential catalyst in biodiesel production have attracted much attention. The development of heterogeneous catalysts especially from calcium has gained much awareness due to the large availability of calcium-rich waste materials and their corresponding high catalytic activity in the transesterification of oil. Most of the waste materials employed as heterogeneous catalysts have an abundance of natural Ca content and they have high catalyst activity and selectivity despite being environment-friendly and cost-effective. Heterogeneous catalysts with high activity can be produced from Ca based waste materials when calcined at high temperatures. This review gives a brief overview of the developments of various Ca based catalysts derived from waste materials as an efficient catalyst for biodiesel production with significant yield. Industrial wastes (red mud, slag, ash) and biological catalysts (chicken eggshells, mollusk shells, animal bones) possess enormous potential towards developing an economical catalyst and subsequently, low-cost biodiesel generation. However, future challenges await a better utilization of useless wastes into a useful resource to satisfy human needs.