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In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur (IIT Jodhpur) have created a cost-effective bio-jet fuel from waste biomass and non-edible oils. Led by Professor Rakesh K Sharma and his Ph.D. scholar Bhagirath Saini, this innovative research promises to revolutionize the aviation industry while curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

The team successfully designed a reusable iron-based catalyst called Fe/Silica-Alumina, to convert waste biomass into bio-jet fuel. Notably, the catalyst exhibits exceptional acidity and unique textural properties, allowing the production of bio-jet fuel under mild reaction conditions, including low hydrogen pressure and solvent-free environments. Impressively, the catalyst remains effective for up to 10 test cycles.

With the global aviation sector's substantial daily fuel demand exceeding 800 million liters, reliance on petroleum-based fuels has taken a toll on the environment. However, this research opens up new possibilities, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative.

The Department of Biotechnology's DBT PAN-IIT Center for Bioenergy Research has extended support for this pioneering work. The research has garnered recognition, as they were published on the cover page of the esteemed Sustainable Energy & Fuels journal, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, London.

Professor Rakesh K Sharma emphasizes the remarkable aspects of their work, highlighting the unprecedented selectivity of bio-jet fuel from biomass achieved through using an earth-abundant and reusable heterogeneous iron catalyst. This breakthrough enhances efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions in the airline industry, marking a significant stride toward a greener future.