Biochar from waste biomass as a biocatalyst for biodiesel production: an overview

Depletion of fossil fuels resulted in the search for alternative energy sources that are eco-friendly and renewable. Biodiesel had become one of the promising alternative energy sources in the past decade. The conventional biodiesel production cost is very expensive on an industrial scale and becomes the main challenge. To reduce the production cost, the catalyst is considered a promising tool for speeding the biodiesel production rate. In this aspect, many types of research have been conducted by utilizing catalysts produced from various feedstocks for biodiesel production and purification. Recently, biochar was used as a catalyst for biodiesel production. Henceforth, the present review comprises an overview of biochar feedstock, production of biochar via pyrolysis, activation of biochar and process conditions for biochar. Apart from the production of biochar, the main focus of this review is on the biochar-based catalyst for biodiesel production. This biochar-based catalyst will act as a sustainable source of energy by reducing the economy of biodiesel production.