178
I. A. Sanusi et al.
Although the application of nanoparticles in biofuel processing has demonstrated
promise, further research is necessary to determine the most efficient method of application. Despite the merits with nanoparticle supplementation in biofuel processes,
several challenges still plague its implementation. Some of these challenges include
the cost of synthesizing the nanoparticles, biocompatibility of nanomaterials and
their mechanism of action, reusability and its environmental effects. Additionally,
achieving a cost-effective biofuel production process will require thorough considerations of the economic implication involved in the synthesis of nanomaterials.
Similarly, nanoparticles with precise biocatalytic properties should be synthesized
in order to improve specific biofuel production process. Also, biogenic synthesis of
nanoparticles using retinue of biological resources can lead to low-cost production of
environmentally benign nanoparticles that may be useful for applications in biofuel
research and development (Adelere and Lateef 2016; Lateef et al. 2016).
5 Conclusion
Nanomaterials could play a crucial role towards the advancement of biofuel production owing to their distinctive and beneficial properties as described in this chapter.
The inclusion of nanoparticles in biofuel process development has the potential to
ensure an economically viable biofuel production by enhancing various stages of
product formation, thus reducing the negative impact of fossil fuel consumption.
Additionally, these biocatalysts are environmentally friendly as they can be recovered
and reused. However, in order to fast-track their application for biofuel production,
many hindrances needs to be addressed. These include (i) synthesizing nanoparticles
that are less expensive, (ii) using nanoparticles that are biocompatible or non-toxic
to microorganisms, (iii) use of nanoparticles of distinctive and specific function and
(iv) using nanoparticles that are eco-friendly.
References
Abdelsalam E, Samer M, Attia YA, Abdel-Hadi MA, Hassan HE, Badr Y (2016) Comparison of
nanoparticles effects on biogas and methane production from anaerobic digestion of cattle dung
slurry. Renew Energy 87:592–598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2015.10.053
Abdelsalam E, Samer M, Attia YA, Abdel-Hadi MA, Hassan HE, Badr Y (2017a) Effects of Co and
Ni nanoparticles on biogas and methane production from anaerobic digestion of slurry. Energy
Convers Manag 141:108–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.05.051
Abdelsalam E, Samer M, Attia YA, Abdel-Hadi MA, Hassan HE, Badr Y (2017b) Influence of
zero valent iron nanoparticles and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on biogas and methane
production from anaerobic digestion of manure. Energy 120:842–853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
energy.2016.11.137
Adelere IA, Lateef A (2016) A novel approach to the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles: the
use of agro-wastes, enzymes and pigments. Nanotechnol Rev 5(6):567–587. https://doi.org/10.
1515/ntrev-2016-0024
I. A. Sanusi et al.
Although the application of nanoparticles in biofuel processing has demonstrated
promise, further research is necessary to determine the most efficient method of application. Despite the merits with nanoparticle supplementation in biofuel processes,
several challenges still plague its implementation. Some of these challenges include
the cost of synthesizing the nanoparticles, biocompatibility of nanomaterials and
their mechanism of action, reusability and its environmental effects. Additionally,
achieving a cost-effective biofuel production process will require thorough considerations of the economic implication involved in the synthesis of nanomaterials.
Similarly, nanoparticles with precise biocatalytic properties should be synthesized
in order to improve specific biofuel production process. Also, biogenic synthesis of
nanoparticles using retinue of biological resources can lead to low-cost production of
environmentally benign nanoparticles that may be useful for applications in biofuel
research and development (Adelere and Lateef 2016; Lateef et al. 2016).
5 Conclusion
Nanomaterials could play a crucial role towards the advancement of biofuel production owing to their distinctive and beneficial properties as described in this chapter.
The inclusion of nanoparticles in biofuel process development has the potential to
ensure an economically viable biofuel production by enhancing various stages of
product formation, thus reducing the negative impact of fossil fuel consumption.
Additionally, these biocatalysts are environmentally friendly as they can be recovered
and reused. However, in order to fast-track their application for biofuel production,
many hindrances needs to be addressed. These include (i) synthesizing nanoparticles
that are less expensive, (ii) using nanoparticles that are biocompatible or non-toxic
to microorganisms, (iii) use of nanoparticles of distinctive and specific function and
(iv) using nanoparticles that are eco-friendly.
References
Abdelsalam E, Samer M, Attia YA, Abdel-Hadi MA, Hassan HE, Badr Y (2016) Comparison of
nanoparticles effects on biogas and methane production from anaerobic digestion of cattle dung
slurry. Renew Energy 87:592–598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2015.10.053
Abdelsalam E, Samer M, Attia YA, Abdel-Hadi MA, Hassan HE, Badr Y (2017a) Effects of Co and
Ni nanoparticles on biogas and methane production from anaerobic digestion of slurry. Energy
Convers Manag 141:108–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.05.051
Abdelsalam E, Samer M, Attia YA, Abdel-Hadi MA, Hassan HE, Badr Y (2017b) Influence of
zero valent iron nanoparticles and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on biogas and methane
production from anaerobic digestion of manure. Energy 120:842–853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
energy.2016.11.137
Adelere IA, Lateef A (2016) A novel approach to the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles: the
use of agro-wastes, enzymes and pigments. Nanotechnol Rev 5(6):567–587. https://doi.org/10.
1515/ntrev-2016-0024