Influence of blending additives in biodiesel on physiochemical properties, engine performance, and emission characteristics

[Display omitted] •The use of additives in the biodiesel-diesel blend leads to a decrease in BSFC.•Lower Ignition delay and higher pressure and heat release rate affect the BTE.•Nanoparticles and waste polymers affect engine performance by increasing BTE, decreasing BSFC. Fossil fuel depletion led researchers to find alternative fuel to the Compression Ignition (CI) engines. Biodiesel has emerged as an eco-friendly, clean, and sustainable alternative which can be used directly as a fuel or as a blend with diesel. However, high viscosity, high NOx emission, and high brake specific fuel consumption are some disadvantages associated with it. To obviate these disadvantages various studies has been done on the addition of additives or properties enhancers, converting biodiesel into a more efficient and reliable fuel for end-use in the engine. This review article focuses on the effect of additives such as nanoparticles and antioxidants on engine performance, the concentration of exhaust gases and emission characteristics of biodiesel blend. The major finding of this research was that nanoparticles and waste polymers affect engine performance by increasing BTE, decreasing BSFC, and lowering the emission of certain pollutants such as CO, HC, NOx.