Eco-friendly Catalysts Revolutionizing Energy and Environmental Applications: An Overview

Catalysts are essential for accelerating chemical reactions without altering the reaction itself. They can be homogeneous or heterogeneous, with heterogeneous catalysts being more recognized due to their lower energy consumption and cost-effectiveness. Biocatalysts, such as enzymes, are highly selective and efficient. The performance of catalysts is influenced by factors such as ideal porosity, pore width, surface area, and promoters like rare earth metals, alkaline, and alkaline earth metals. The effectiveness of multivalent metals as homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts depends on a variety of variables, including coexistence, pH, formulation, and others. Currently, Fe-based catalysts, such as magnetite, olivine, and ilmenite, have gained interest due to their lower cost, higher reactivity, and stability. Metal-organic frameworks have gained interest as catalyst supports due to their high porosity, higher surface area, and ability to alter the size and shape of pores. The growing global population has led to environmental pollution and energy crises, necessitating the need for clean, renewable energy sources. This review focuses on the potential and utility of sustainable green catalysts like nanocatalysts and biochar-based catalysts for the efficient and sustainable production of biofuels. In addition, the usage of metal oxides, heteropoly acids, and aluminuminosilicate catalysts for wastewater remediation is also discussed in this review.