Abstract:In the research and development of clean biofuels, the catalytic conversion of biomass and the synthesis of biodiesel are key processes, and the selection of catalysts is crucial for the efficient preparation of clean biofuels. Compared with traditional homogeneous catalysts, heteropolyacids have attracted much attention in the fields of catalysis, material chemistry, and photochemistry owing to its stable structures, strong Br?nsted acidity, redox properties, and can efficiently catalyze reactions at lower catalyst concentrations and temperatures. This review focuses on summarizing the recent advances in the development of heteropolyacid-based composite materials in catalyzing esterification and transesterification to synthesize biofuels, and the preparation, physicochemical properties, and the catalytic applications of three types of heteropolyacid-based materials, including pure heteropolyacid, doped heteropolyacid (heteropolyacid functionalized with counter charged cations or ionic liquids), and supported heteropolyacid (silicon-based materials, metal oxides, activated carbon, metal-organic frameworks, etc., are used as supports), are summarized. Meanwhile, new applications of heteropolyacid-based composite materials in photocatalysis and catalytic desulfurization were introduced. Also, the development trend of heteropolyacid-based composite materials in the catalysis field is prospected, and two development suggestions were advised. One was to vigorously develop green synthesis technology and design the structure of heteropolyacid-based composite catalytic materials through interdisciplinary technology; the other was to explain its catalytic mechanism and path by means of quantum chemistry, and to clarify the relationship between preparation, structure and catalytic performance. The study of this article may contribute to the industrial design and development of green heteropolyacid-based heterogeneous composite materials.