Harnessing visible light for sustainable biodiesel production with Ni/Si/MgO photocatalyst

Aminul Islam and Teo, Siow Hwa and Md. Tarekul Islam and Alam Hossain Mondal and Hasan Mahmud and Sozib Ahmed and Md Ibrahim and Yap, Taufiq Yun Hin and Abdulkareem-Alsultan G. and Mohd Lokman Hossain and Md. Chanmiya Sheikh and Adiba Islam Rasee and Ariyan Islam Rehan and R.M. Waliullah and Mrs Eti Awual and Md. Munjur Hasan and Mohammed Sohrab Hossain and Khadiza Tul Kubra and Md. Shad Salman and Md. Nazmul Hasan and Md. Rabiul Awual (2025) Harnessing visible light for sustainable biodiesel production with Ni/Si/MgO photocatalyst. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 208. pp. 1-15. ISSN 1364-0321

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Abstract

Sustainable energy sources frequently demonstrate greater reliability and resilience in comparison to conventional energy sources. Biodiesel, with its markedly reduced carbon footprint when compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel, owes this advantage to its production from renewable resources. Heterojunction photocatalysts have gained significant interest due to their immense promise in tackling environmental challenges. In this study, a highly efficient photocatalyst, Ni/Si/MgO, for biodiesel production under visible light irradiation was synthesized using a solid-phase reaction method with silica as the silicon source, along with Ni and MgO. The surface functionality of Ni/Si/MgO was crucial for achieving high efficiency of photocatalytic systems, as evident from XPS. The transesterification reaction on the Ni/Si/MgO photocatalyst proceeds by the formation of SiH and SiOH bonds over the catalyst. The photocatalytic activities of Ni/Si/MgO photocatalysts were higher than those of the Si/MgO nanoparticle when exposed to light. Achieving an optimal yield of 98 %, the biodiesel production was carried out under the following reaction conditions: A catalyst dosage of 2 % by weight was utilized, along with a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 12:1, and the entire procedure was executed within a duration of 3.5 h. Plasmonic near-fields are speculated to be responsible for the increased transesterification activity along the Ni/Si/MgO interface. In order to carry out the transesterification reaction, electron-hole pairs are generated along the Ni/Si/MgO interface, where plasmonic near-fields are highly concentrated. This study contributes a significant perspective on mechanisms governing the process of efficient plasmonic photocatalysis responsive to visible light. These findings hold the potential to offer valuable guidance in the formulation and design of next-generation, high-performance photocatalysts.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Photocatalyst, Visible light, Sustainable, Transesterification, Plasmonic
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry > QD1-999 Chemistry > QD450-801 Physical and theoretical chemistry T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP1-1185 Chemical technology > TP315-360 Fuel
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Science and Natural Resources
Depositing User:	SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2025 17:15
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2025 17:15
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/44516

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