Synthesis and upgrading of waste cooking oil biodiesel using waste-based catalysts

This research work addresses the sustainable production of high-quality biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) through an innovative ap-proach that integrates principles of circular economy and green chemistry. The work focuses on two main objectives: the first is the production of bio-diesel via microwave-assisted transesterification using steel slag as a cata-lyst—a by-product of steel production—and the second is the improvement of biodiesel properties through partial hydrogenation reactions assisted by innovative nickel-based catalysts supported onto waste materials. The waste materials investigated for this purpose include steel slag and cellulose ace-tate derived from used cigarette filters, which were preliminarily subjected to a purification process using innovative and sustainable solvents, such as the deep eutectic solvents (DES). The proposed methodology aims to optimize the biodiesel production process by reducing energy costs while addressing environmental concerns associated with waste disposal. The results obtained demonstrated that the developed catalysts were efficient and selective, en-suring the production of biodiesel with oxidative stability and cold flow properties in accordance with the standards required by European regula-tions