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Catalytic Processes in Biofuel Production and Biomass Valorization, 3rd Edition
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Catalytic Processes in Biofuel Production and Biomass Valorization, 3rd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 1753

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Claudia Carlucci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences, Health, and Health Professions, Link Campus University, Via del Casale di San Pio V, 44, 00165 Rome, Italy
Interests: sustainable chemistry; organic chemistry; flow chemistry; material chemistry; nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the publication of two successful editions, we are pleased to announce the launch of the third edition of a Special Issue entitled "Catalytic Processes in Biofuel Production and Biomass Valorization".

Public attention towards energy consumption and related emissions of pollutants is rising. The constant increase in the costs of raw materials derived from petroleum and the growing concerns surrounding their environmental impacts have given considerable impetus to research into new products derived from renewable raw materials. Moreover, researchers are now increasingly motivated to propose technological solutions that reduce energy consumption, the use of hazardous substances and waste production while promoting a model of sustainable development. The valorization of waste materials is a viable alternative to traditional disposal systems, including the field of renewable energy and biofuels.

Therefore, this Special Issue aims to focus on sustainable chemistry, biomass valorization, biofuels, biodiesel production, waste production, raw materials and glycerol. The topics of this Special Issue encompass both experimental and theoretical contributions. Original research papers, communications and review articles will be considered upon submission.

Prof. Dr. Claudia Carlucci
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • sustainable chemistry
  • biomass valorization
  • biofuel
  • biodiesel production
  • waste production
  • raw materials
  • glycerol

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Related Special Issues

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 14851 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Residual Brewery Biomass for the Production of Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
by Camila Silva, A. M. R. Ramírez, Boris Pavez, María Eugenia Gonzalez, Matías Kopp, Pablo Meza and Mara Cea
Catalysts 2025, 15(5), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15050433 - 29 Apr 2025
Abstract
In this work, a biochar catalyst was developed from residual brewery spent grain (BSG) biomass and iron oxide to be applied in the counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The composite was obtained using a two-stage methodology based on microwave-assisted hydrothermal [...] Read more.
In this work, a biochar catalyst was developed from residual brewery spent grain (BSG) biomass and iron oxide to be applied in the counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The composite was obtained using a two-stage methodology based on microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization and pyrolysis, evaluating the influence of the pyrolysis temperature (700, 800 and 900 °C) on the properties and performance of the material. As result, composites with a high carbon and iron oxide content were obtained in a magnetite state attached to the surface. Furthermore, the physicochemical characteristics of the biochar showed similarities to those of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), which was attributed to the incorporation of iron oxide and the pyrolysis temperature. Electrochemical analysis showed that the composite pyrolyzed at 800 °C presented better catalytic activity and lower charge transfer resistance. Its application in the CE of a DSSC presented a current density of 10.44 mA/cm2 and an efficiency of 3.05%, values close to the conventional Pt catalyst in DSSCs (Pt = 4.43%). This study validates the use of a composite based on residual brewery biomass with iron oxide in a CE, making it an alternative that contributes to the recovery of residues and the generation of sustainable technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Processes in Biofuel Production and Biomass Valorization, 3rd Edition)
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15 pages, 4218 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Sustainable γ-Alumina Catalyst/Catalyst Support from Aluminum Can Waste: Study of the Influence of Reaction Temperature
by Aiman A. Bin Mokaizh, Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza, Madhusudhan Bangalore Ramu and Dia Eddin Nassani
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030215 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 778
Abstract
The indiscriminate disposal of empty aluminum beverage cans poses a major environmental pollution problem. The last decade has witnessed coordinated research targeted at finding cost-effective and practical solutions to minimize and utilize solid waste, which has become a major global environmental concern. This [...] Read more.
The indiscriminate disposal of empty aluminum beverage cans poses a major environmental pollution problem. The last decade has witnessed coordinated research targeted at finding cost-effective and practical solutions to minimize and utilize solid waste, which has become a major global environmental concern. This research is focused on the use of readily available waste aluminum (Al) cans for the synthesis of gamma-alumina. This work aims to synthesize γ-alumina from scrap Al cans using the sol-gel method, as well as their characterization. This study further explores the impact of reaction temperature on alumina synthesis at a fixed aging time of a half day. Characterization of γ-alumina was performed via FTIR, XRD, BET, and SEM–EDX analyses. The experimental results revealed the possibility of γ-alumina synthesis from waste Al cans, which can serve as catalysts/supports for various processes. A reaction temperature of 70 °C was found to be optimal for alumina synthesis from Al waste, as evidenced by our FTIR and XRD results, whereas alumina at room temperature recorded the highest surface area, at around 139 m2/g. Also, the results show that all the alumina synthesized at 70 °C recorded the highest weight and atomic percentage, at 9%, 8%, 27%, and 22%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Processes in Biofuel Production and Biomass Valorization, 3rd Edition)
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Review

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32 pages, 3708 KiB  
Review
Catalysis in Biofuel Production and Biomass Valorization: Trends, Challenges, and Innovations Through a Bibliometric Analysis
by Motasem Y. D. Alazaiza, Tharaa M. Alzghoul, Madhusudhan Bangalore Ramu and Dia Eddin Nassani
Catalysts 2025, 15(3), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15030227 - 27 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 726
Abstract
Biomass valorization and biofuel production are essential strategies for converting renewable organic materials into sustainable energy, addressing the urgent need for alternatives to fossil fuels. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 1657 publications from the Scopus database, covering the period from 2010 [...] Read more.
Biomass valorization and biofuel production are essential strategies for converting renewable organic materials into sustainable energy, addressing the urgent need for alternatives to fossil fuels. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 1657 publications from the Scopus database, covering the period from 2010 to December 2024, revealing significant trends in this field. The number of published articles reached 318 in 2024, peaking at 163 articles in 2020, which garnered 7302 citations, indicating robust global interest. China leads the research landscape with 550 publications and 17,577 citations, followed by the United States with 160 publications and 9359 citations. Key journals include “ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering” and “Chemsuschem”, highlighting important contributions to the field. The analysis identifies four clusters: the role of lignin and heterogeneous catalysis in biomass conversion; pyrolysis and waste valorization techniques; key chemical intermediates from biomass; and advanced reactions like hydrogenolysis for enhancing product value. The study emphasizes the need for innovative strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve biomass utilization and biofuel production. Future research should focus on developing integrated systems that promote a circular economy, optimize reaction conditions, and explore new biomass feedstocks. Overall, this research significantly advances the understanding of biomass conversion processes and supports the transition to renewable energy solutions, underscoring the critical role of biomass in achieving sustainability goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Processes in Biofuel Production and Biomass Valorization, 3rd Edition)
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