Chapter 9: Bio-refining Through Nanotechnology

Bio-refineries are facilities that can convert biomass to fuels, power and high-value chemicals, which are regarded as suitable routes to solve the energy crisis and food crisis caused by the fast-increasing population on this planet. An ideal bio-refinery that can convert various types of biomass feedstocks to prospective products with good conversion yield and selectivity involves the application of nanoparticles as heterogeneous catalysts. Currently, heterogeneous catalysts based on nanoparticles have displayed high potential in catalyzing and modifying the bio-refinery process, affecting the properties of the products and their component distribution. In this chapter, we aim to summarize the latest developments in nano-catalysts and nano-enzymatic supports for greener bio-refinery processing. At the end, the prospects of improved technologies to produce greener nanoparticles and integrate them into biomass feedstocks are discussed.