Heterogeneous Base Catalysts for Transesterification in Biodiesel Synthesis

The heterogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification for biodiesel synthesis has been studied intensively over the last decade. This review classifies the solid base catalysts for transesterification into the following six categories based on Hattori's classification: single metal oxides, mixed metal oxides, zeolites, supported alkali/alkaline earth metals, clay minerals (hydrotalcites), and non-oxides (organic solid bases). The catalysts in each category have acceptable catalytic activities overall, and follow specific catalyst design rules, although not completely systematically, thereby drawing the best activity from them. In parallel, each catalyst is not versatile and has some limitations specifically related to its catalytic structure and properties. This review focuses on the heterogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification in terms of catalyst development, based on the published research, especially over the last decade.