Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.6
4.0
Journals
Catalysts
Special Issues
Catalysis for Sustainable Energy: Biodiesel and Biolubricant Innovations
share announcement

Catalysis for Sustainable Energy: Biodiesel and Biolubricant Innovations

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis for Sustainable Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2026) | Viewed by 1660

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Eglė Sendžikienė

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Donelaičio Str. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: biofuel and biolubricant production; usage and influence on environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ieva Pinkė

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Agriculture Akademy, Vytautas Magnus University, 53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: biodiesel production; usage and influence on environment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to publish scientific articles in our Special Issue, entitled “Catalysis for Sustainable Energy: Biodiesel and Biolubricant Innovations”, which will be published in the journal Catalysts.

Biodiesel and biolubricants are widely used in industrial production. In the energy field, biodiesel, as a renewable fuel with high oxygen content, has the advantages of improving the combustion process and reducing soot and sediment and is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel. Biolubricants can replace traditional lubricants like engine oil, hydraulic oil, compressor oil, gear oil, grease, and others. 

Biodiesel and biolubricant production represent key advancements in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. Derived from renewable biological sources such as vegetable oils and animal fats, these bio-based products offer cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels. Catalysis plays a critical role in enhancing the efficiency and selectivity of these processes, enabling lower energy consumption and reduced environmental impact. Catalytic transesterification and hydrogenation are central to converting raw feedstocks into high-quality biodiesel and biolubricants. As the global demand for eco-friendly energy intensifies, developing advanced catalytic processes is vital to achieving energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thereby underscoring the importance of this research field.

This Special Issue aims to assemble cutting‑edge research on catalytic production of biodiesel and biolubricants from renewable feedstocks, emphasizing sustainable energy and green chemistry. Focusing on novel catalytic processes—such as heterogeneous, enzymatic, and photocatalytic methods—alongside techno‑economic analyses and life cycle assessments, it seeks to bridge innovation and environmental impact. Targeting at least ten high‑quality articles ensures comprehensive coverage and potential publication as a dedicated book. By converging biodiesel/biolubricant science within the journal’s scope on renewable feedstocks, catalysis, and sustainable energy, this Special Issue aligns perfectly with the journal's thematic priorities.

In this Special Issue, original research articles, communications, and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following: new raw materials, catalysts, and methods for biodiesel and biolubricant production; effects on the environment of biodiesel and biolubricants; and techno-economic analyses.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Egle Sendzikiene
Guest Editor

Dr. Ieva Pinkė
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biodiesel
  • biolubricant
  • heterogeneous catalysis
  • homogeneous catalysis
  • biocatalysis
  • response surface methodology (RSM)
  • environmental impact

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

23 pages, 3776 KB  
Article
Catalytic Enhancement of Biodiesel Combustion via Nano Boron Oxide (B2O3): Experimental and RSM-Based Analysis in a CI Engine
by Arif Savaş, Samet Uslu, Gonca Uslu, Oğuzhan Der, Ali Erçetin and Ramazan Şener
Catalysts 2026, 16(5), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16050449 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 255
Abstract
The catalytic modification of combustion processes using nanoparticle additives has emerged as a promising strategy to improve fuel oxidation and reduce pollutant formation in compression ignition (CI) engines. In this study, the catalytic effects of nano-sized boron oxide (B2O3) [...] Read more.
The catalytic modification of combustion processes using nanoparticle additives has emerged as a promising strategy to improve fuel oxidation and reduce pollutant formation in compression ignition (CI) engines. In this study, the catalytic effects of nano-sized boron oxide (B2O3) on biodiesel combustion were systematically investigated. Jojoba oil, a non-edible and drought-resistant feedstock, was transesterified to produce second-generation biodiesel and blended with diesel fuel. Among the tested blends, J10 (10% biodiesel and 90% diesel) was selected as the base fuel blend due to its favorable combustion and emission characteristics. To explore catalytic enhancement mechanisms, B2O3 nanoparticles were introduced at concentrations of 25, 50, and 75 ppm. The high surface area and oxygen buffering capacity of B2O3 nanoparticles are expected to enhance oxidation reactions and promote radical formation during combustion. This catalytic effect contributes to improved combustion efficiency, as evidenced by a significant reduction in incomplete combustion products. Compared with diesel fuel (D100), HC emissions were reduced by up to 53.34%, while CO emissions decreased by 24.42–41.98% depending on the operating conditions and fuel blends. In addition, a noticeable improvement in combustion quality was reflected in the brake thermal efficiency (BTE), where variations of up to 11.61% were observed across different fuel blends. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to quantify the interaction between nanoparticle concentration and engine load and to identify optimal catalytic operating conditions. The optimal parameters were determined as 12.14 ppm B2O3 and 1.36 kW load, yielding a desirability of 0.7128. Under these conditions, the engine achieved a BSFC of 458.83 g/kWh and BTE of 22.01%, with emissions reduced to 0.041% CO, 14.29 ppm HC, and 346.44 ppm NOx. The results demonstrate that nano B2O3 functions as a combustion catalyst by enhancing oxidation pathways and improving fuel-air interaction, thereby increasing combustion efficiency and reducing harmful emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Sustainable Energy: Biodiesel and Biolubricant Innovations)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3245 KB  
Article
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Functionalized UiO-66 in Transesterification Reactions
by Dantong Wen, Xiaohong Hao and Jinchuan Wang
Catalysts 2026, 16(4), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040351 - 14 Apr 2026
Viewed by 437
Abstract
This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the influence of functionalized UiO-66 materials (with -H, -NH2, -NO2, and -(OH)2 groups) on the adsorption and diffusion behaviors of ethanol and waste oil before transesterification reactions. A multi-scale modeling [...] Read more.
This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the influence of functionalized UiO-66 materials (with -H, -NH2, -NO2, and -(OH)2 groups) on the adsorption and diffusion behaviors of ethanol and waste oil before transesterification reactions. A multi-scale modeling approach, including a three-layer interfacial model, surface adsorption, and intra-framework adsorption, was utilized to systematically evaluate the effects of functionalization on structural properties, molecular diffusion, adsorption performance, and interfacial interactions. The simulation results reveal that functionalization enhances the intrinsic diffusivity of the metal–organic framework but generally suppresses the diffusion of ethanol and waste oil. The -(OH)2 group exhibits the most significant diffusion hindrance due to steric effects and strong hydrogen bonding. Adsorption of waste oil is dominated by coordination and hydrophobic interactions, while ethanol adsorption relies on hydrogen bonding. Within the framework, functionalization does not improve ethanol adsorption capacity; instead, pristine UiO-66 shows the highest uptake due to its optimal pore size. Adsorption energy calculations on the (002) surface indicate that the -NO2 group exhibits the strongest affinity for oleic acid, owing to its strong electronegativity and synergistic effects with metal sites. For polyunsaturated fatty acids, adsorption performance depends critically on the compatibility between the hydrophobic pore environment and molecular conformation. Ethanol adsorption is governed primarily by hydrogen bonding and metal coordination. This study provides molecular-level insights into the structure–function relationships governing pre-reaction adsorption and mass transport mechanisms of functionalized UiO-66 in transesterification reactions, providing a theoretical foundation for the rational design of efficient pre-reaction microenvironments in biodiesel catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Sustainable Energy: Biodiesel and Biolubricant Innovations)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 10512 KB  
Review
Zeolite-Based Heterogeneous Catalysts for Biodiesel Production: Recent Progress in the Valorization of Waste-Derived and Next-Generation Feedstocks
by Shahina Riaz, Ziyauddin S. Qureshi, Muhammad Naseem Akhtar, Essra Altahir, Abdullah H. Albin Saad, Aaron C. Akah, Mohammad A. Alkhunaizi, Rashed M. Aleisa and Omar Y. Abdelaziz
Catalysts 2026, 16(4), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16040365 - 17 Apr 2026
Viewed by 557
Abstract
Biodiesel is a sustainable and promising alternative energy source produced from renewable raw materials using various methods. One effective approach is simultaneous esterification and transesterification, which relies on suitable catalysts that can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. Homogeneous catalysts (acid or base) offer [...] Read more.
Biodiesel is a sustainable and promising alternative energy source produced from renewable raw materials using various methods. One effective approach is simultaneous esterification and transesterification, which relies on suitable catalysts that can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. Homogeneous catalysts (acid or base) offer high activity but are corrosive and difficult to recover, necessitating energy-intensive processes such as aqueous quenching and neutralization, which can lead to soap formation and stable emulsions. By comparison, heterogeneous catalytic systems overcome many of these challenges due to their ease of recovery, reusability, and simplified product separation, which collectively enhance economic viability and environmental sustainability. This review highlights recent progress in the application of zeolite-based solid catalysts for biodiesel synthesis, with particular emphasis on their use in converting waste cooking oil and other low-cost feedstocks, including non-edible oils, non-food biomass sources, algal resources, and genetically engineered microorganisms. Key factors such as catalytic activity, selectivity, catalyst loading, and reusability are discussed, highlighting the advantages of zeolites due to their unique crystal structure, high thermal stability, and ease of product recovery. Overall, this review underscores the challenges and opportunities in zeolite-based catalysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of its potential to enhance the efficiency and scalability of biodiesel production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis for Sustainable Energy: Biodiesel and Biolubricant Innovations)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop