Browsing by Author "Ahmad Mustafa"

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Converting lignocellulosic biomass into valuable end products for decentralized energy solutions: A comprehensive overview
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-11-01) Ahmad Mustafa; Shah Faisal; Jaswinder Singh; Boutaina Rezki; Karan Kumar; Vijayanand S. Moholkar; Ozben Kutlu; Ahmed Aboulmagd; Hamdy Khamees Thabet; Zeinhom M. El-Bahy; Oguzhan Der; Cassamo Ussemane Mussagy; Luigi di Bitonto; Mushtaq Ahmad; Carlo Pastore
This review manuscript delves into lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) as a sustainable energy source, addressing the global demand for renewable alternatives amidst increasing oil and gas consumption and solid waste production. LCB, consisting of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, is versatile for biochemical and thermochemical conversions like anaerobic digestion, fermentation, gasification, and pyrolysis. Recent advancements have led to a 25 % increase in bioethanol yields through alkali pre-treatment and optimized fermentation, a 20 % enhancement in microbial delignification efficiency, and a 35 % improvement in enzyme efficiency via nanobiotechnology. These innovations enhance biofuel production sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Decentralized energy systems utilizing locally produced biomass can reduce transmission losses and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30 %, fostering community energy independence. These developments significantly contribute to global sustainability and socio-economic development by converting waste into valuable energy, promoting environmental stewardship, and supporting economic resilience. Furthermore, this review also discusses innovative strategies to address technological, economic, and environmental challenges and highlights the role of decentralized solutions in promoting sustainable energy production.
Harnessing non-edible Quercus incana seeds for sustainable and clean biodiesel production using seed-derived green Al2O3 nanocatalyst
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-10-21) Mumna Munir; Mushtaq Ahmad; Abdulaziz Abdullah Alsahli; Lixin Zhang; Sokhib Islamov; Shazia Sultana; Cassamo Ussemane Mussagy; Ahmad Mustafa; Mamoona Munir; Bisha Chaudhry; Maria Hamayun; Sarwar Khawaja
The challenges of resource scarcity and waste deposition have increased raw material costs and imposed stricter waste management regulations. This study presents the first attempt to utilize high oil-yielding Quercus incana seeds (55.77 wt%, 0.28 % FFA) as a novel waste feedstock for synthesizing a bio-fabricated Al2O3 nanocatalyst and its application in producing high-quality biodiesel. A maximum biodiesel yield of 97.6 % was achieved under optimal conditions, including a 1:9 oil-to-methanol ratio, a 120-minute reaction time at 70 °C, and 0.25 % catalyst concentration. The formation of biodiesel was confirmed through various analytical techniques, such as 1H- and 13C NMR, FTIR, and GC–MS. Additionally, the physicochemical properties of the biodiesel, including sulfur content (0.00047 wt%), TAC (0.20 mg KOH/g), cloud point, and pour point (−11 °C), were analyzed and compared to international biodiesel standards to ensure its stability, sustainability, and eco-friendliness. The production of biodiesel from Quercus incana, a non-edible, uncultivated waste feedstock, supports a greener revolution and a net-zero carbon society. It also promotes smarter waste management practices globally.
Integrating environmental remediation with biodiesel production from toxic non-edible oil seeds (Croton bonplandianus) using a sustainable phyto-nano catalyst
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-11-05) Ulfat Zia; Mushtaq Ahmad; Abdulaziz Abdullah Alsahli; Ikram Faiz; Shazia Sultana; Angie V. Caicedo-Paz; Cassamo U. Mussagy; Ahmad Mustafa
In the current situation of the environmental uprising toxicology, rising global temperature, and energy-depleting urges to explore and discover more renewable and greener ecological-benefiting energy resources. Biobased renewable fuels generated by using waste products can help in waste management, climate change mitigation, and a low-carbon future. The main objective of this research is to produce environment-friendly and cost-effective biofuel. The potentiality of the novel, toxic, waste, and inedible feedstock Croton bonplandianus was evaluated for biodiesel synthesis through transesterification utilizing a Phyto-nano catalyst of potassium oxide prepared by Croton bonplandianus floral stalk's aqueous extract focusing on waste management. Phyto-nano catalyst characterization was done through innovative tools such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Zeta Potential (ZP), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS). The characterization results revealed that the potassium oxide phyto-nanocatalyst possesses an average nanoparticle size of 44.5 nm. This size is optimal for enhanced catalytic activity, indicating significant potential for efficient catalysis. The highest yield (94 %) of biodiesel was secured at optimized reaction conditions of catalyst quantity (0.50 wt%), reaction time (180 min), methanol: oil ratio (9:1), and reaction thermal point (70 °C). Transformation of triglycerides to methyl esters was confirmed by GC/MS, NMR, and FTIR techniques. A total of 21 methyl esters were observed in Croton bonplandianus biodiesel confirmed via GC/MS results. Evaluation of fuel properties was done and matched with international fuel standards. The conclusive remarks for the conducted research are that Croton bonplandianus has a high potential for biodiesel production by applying Phyto-nanocatalysts of potassium oxide while dealing with hazardous environmental conditions and waste management. Phyto nanocatalyst of potassium oxide can be reused and gives the same yield after several cycles of reusability, this reusability of heterogenous Phyto nanocatalyst can reduce to total cost of biodiesel production and can contribute towards circular economy.