Nanozeolites Synthesis and Their Applications in Biofuel Production

This chapter mainly focuses on the zeolite and nanozeolite sources, types, structural properties, synthesis, and applications in biofuel production. Other sources of energy like fossil fuels are nonrenewable sources of energy that are depleting because of their excessive use; thus, we need an alternative source of energy referred to as renewable energy. Biofuels like syngas, bioethanol, and biodiesel are renewable energy sources produced from biomass. Biofuel production is a complex process involving various chemical and biological processes. Zeolites are alumina silicate minerals that have certain properties such as catalytic, ion exchange, and adsorption properties that make them valuable for use in biofuel production. Moreover, nanozeolites have nano-dimensions and tetrahedral crystalline structures, which make them suitable for various industrial applications. There are different methods for nanozeolite synthesis that are commonly divided into two types: conventional (hydrothermal method) and green synthesis methods. There are different techniques used for the characterization of zeolites like scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Their structural properties make nanozeolites valuable for the production of biodiesel, syngas, and bioethanol, which are discussed in this chapter.