Nanomaterials Utilization in Biomass for Biofuel and Bioenergy Production

Kuan Shiong Khoo, Wen Yi Chia, Doris Ying Ying Tang, Pau Loke Show, Kit Wayne Chew and Wei-Hsin Chen
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Kuan Shiong Khoo: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
Wen Yi Chia: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
Doris Ying Ying Tang: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
Pau Loke Show: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
Kit Wayne Chew: School of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
Wei-Hsin Chen: Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: The world energy production trumped by the exhaustive utilization of fossil fuels has highlighted the importance of searching for an alternative energy source that exhibits great potential. Ongoing efforts are being implemented to resolve the challenges regarding the preliminary processes before conversion to bioenergy such as pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and cultivation of biomass. Nanotechnology has the ability to overcome the challenges associated with these biomass sources through their distinctive active sites for various reactions and processes. In this review, the potential of nanotechnology incorporated into these biomasses as an aid or addictive to enhance the efficiency of bioenergy generation has been reviewed. The fundamentals of nanomaterials along with their various bioenergy applications were discussed in-depth. Moreover, the optimization and enhancement of bioenergy production from lignocellulose, microalgae and wastewater using nanomaterials are comprehensively evaluated. The distinctive features of these nanomaterials contributing to better performance of biofuels, biodiesel, enzymes and microbial fuel cells are also critically reviewed. Subsequently, future trends and research needs are highlighted based on the current literature.

Keywords: bioenergy; biofuel; nanotechnology; nano-catalysts; nano-additives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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