Nano‐catalyst‐assisted biodiesel production: Advances, emerging technologies, and future perspectives for sustainable energy

Abstract Biodiesel has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels due to increasing concerns regarding energy security and environmental pollution. Catalysts have a significant role in improving the conversion efficiency and economic viability of biodiesel production. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in catalytic technologies for biodiesel production, with particular emphasis on nano‐catalysts and emerging nano‐catalytic strategies. The characteristics of homogeneous, heterogeneous, enzymatic, and nano‐catalysts are critically compared in terms of catalytic activity, reusability, feedstock compatibility, and environmental impact. Special attention is given to nano‐catalysts because of their high surface‐to‐volume ratio, enhanced catalytic activity, and improved reaction kinetics. Various types of nano‐catalysts, including magnetic, metal‐based, carbon‐based, hybrid, enzyme‐immobilized, and bimetallic systems, are systematically discussed with respect to their catalytic performance in biodiesel production. Furthermore, next‐generation catalytic strategies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning‐assisted catalyst design, single‐atom catalysts, plasma‐assisted catalytic systems, microreactor‐based processes, photo‐electrocatalytic systems, and smart self‐healing nano‐catalysts are highlighted as emerging approaches for improving biodiesel production efficiency. In addition, synthesis methods, advanced characterization techniques, and techno‐economic considerations are discussed to establish the relationship between catalyst structure and catalytic performance. Key challenges related to catalyst stability, environmental sustainability, scalability, and industrial implementation are also critically analyzed. The objective of this review is to systematically evaluate recent advancements in nano‐catalyst technologies for biodiesel production, assess their catalytic performance, and identify key challenges and future research directions for developing sustainable and scalable catalytic systems.