Biofuel Research Journal

On the Cover

The major by-product of the biodiesel production process is glycerol which can be technically/environmentally problematic. Catalytic valorization of glycerol into fuel additives could be a promising strategy. However, the effects of catalyst type and its synthesis method on glycerol conversion are instrumental. In the March 2020 Issue of Biofuel Research Journal, Indian researchers applied a highly active and stable CeO2-ZrO2 metal oxide catalyst for esterification of glycerol with acetic acid (DOI: 10.18331/BRJ2020.7.1.2). The developed catalyst was synthesized through the combustion approach and was functionalized with sulphate (SO42-) groups. This study reveals that the sulphated metal oxide catalyst has an excellent activity in glycerol conversion with acetic acid while it is highly selective towards diacetin production (fuel additive).