Transforming black liquor waste into nanoporous carbon support of tungsten phosphide catalyst for green diesel production

AbstractThis study presents an innovative approach for utilizing black liquor, a byproduct from the pulp and paper industry, to prepare nanoporous carbon support for synthesizing a metal phosphide catalyst for production of green diesel. Advanced characterization techniques were employed to fully understand the structure and morphology of the synthesized material, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. These analyses provided insights into the physicochemical properties of the nanoporous carbon, revealing a remarkable surface area of 1676.5 m²/g and a distinctive honeycomb-like pore structure. The green diesel production process was evaluated under various reaction conditions, with an optimal temperature of 340°C identified to ensure high conversion of up to 100% and desirable selectivity toward target hydrocarbon products. A notable finding was the remarkable reusability of this catalyst, despite decreased yield across repeated recycling cycles. This study underscores the potential of waste-derived catalysts in renewable fuel production and presents a promising path toward more sustainable and cost-effective biofuel technologies.