What Role Do Catalysts Play in the Production of Biofuels?
Catalysts are essential in the production of biofuels from biomass. They help in breaking down complex organic materials into simpler, more usable forms of fuel. For example, acid catalysts can facilitate the conversion of cellulose into glucose, which can then be fermented to produce bioethanol. Similarly, heterogeneous catalysts are used in the transesterification process to produce biodiesel from vegetable oils and animal fats.