A Review on Metal-Organic Framework as a Promising Catalyst for Biodiesel Production

The rapid depletion of fossil-derived fuels along with rising environmental pollution have motivated academics and manufacturers to pursue more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy options in today's globe. Biodiesel has developed as an ecologically favorable alternative. However, the mass manufacturing of biodiesel on an industrial scale confronts substantial cost and pricing challenges. To address this issue, high-efficiency catalysts with a large number of active sites are needed, resulting in increased biodiesel output and quality. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have received a lot of interest as a catalyst for converting oils/fats or fatty acids into biodiesel. MOFs are polyporous materials that can alter pore size as well as topological structure. They serve as a versatile foundation for designing active sites to satisfy the unique needs of catalytic reactions and conversion pathways. The purpose of this current work is to shed light on the underlying mechanisms and essential properties of MOF-based catalysts used in biodiesel synthesis. In addition, several methods for connecting active sites inside MOFs are scrutinized, while the properties and usability of MOF-based catalysts for the biodiesel production process are completely compared to other catalysts. More importantly, limits and future research directions about the utilization of MOFs in the biodiesel synthesis route are also critically presented. In general, this review contributes to improved awareness about the potential of MOFs in the biodiesel production sector by investigating the primary mechanism and characteristics of MOF-based catalysts.