US Multifunctional Nanoparticles Make Green Diesel Cheaper

Researchers at Ames Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, have developed a groundbreaking nanoparticle that enhances the production of green diesel fuel. This innovation not only reduces the cost of diesel but also makes the final product more environmentally sustainable. The new method for producing green diesel is based on existing biodiesel technology, but with a key difference. While biodiesel is made by reacting fats, oils, and ethanol, green diesel is created through the hydrogenation of fatty acids and oils. The resulting chemical structure closely resembles conventional diesel, offering better stability and higher energy density compared to biodiesel. Amy Slugin, a researcher at Ames Laboratory, shared insights with the Physics Organization Network on May 12th. She explained, “When using feedstocks rich in free fatty acids, like microalgae oil, traditional biodiesel production requires first separating these fatty acids, which can interfere with the catalyst. Our multifunctional nanoparticle streamlines this process by combining multiple reactions into one, making the production faster and more efficient. The result is a greener diesel than standard biodiesel.” Previously, the Ames team, including Sternen, introduced a dual-function mesoporous nanoparticle. These particles feature an amine group that captures free fatty acids and nickel nanoparticles that act as catalysts during the conversion to green diesel. Nickel is often called the "sweet spot" in scientific research due to its low cost—only about 1/2000th the price of precious metals like platinum or palladium used in traditional hydrogenation processes. However, using pure nickel alone can lead to excessive reaction intensity, causing hydrocarbon chains to break down. This reduces the quality of the final fuel. Slugin noted, “But when we added the component that sequesters fatty acids, something remarkable happened. The molecules no longer cracked, and we ended up with hydrocarbons that closely resemble diesel. The process also leaves behind other valuable components of the oil, which could be useful in pharmaceuticals and food industries.” To further improve the technology, the Slugin team replaced nickel with iron, which is 100 times cheaper. This change not only speeds up the reaction but also lowers carbon dioxide emissions. In an article published in the *Journal of Catalytic Science* in May, Slugin stated, “This latest technology has strong potential for industrial scalability.”

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