7 / 2021-05-31 09:45:35

Optimizing biohydrogen production from corn stover through synergetic effects of physical pretreatment and SnO2 nanocatalysts

nanomaterial,Lignocellulosic biomass,Biohydrogen,pretreatment,fermentatation

The sustainable alternative energy source against fossil fuels should be economically viable, environmentally friendly, provide energy security, reduce greenhouse emissions, and not compete with food crops and biodiversity. Lignocellulosic biomass has presented a potential platform to meet the growing demands of energy without much expense on environmental hazards with benefit of carbon capture. Before realization of such technology numerous key parameters needs to be addressed to enhance the efficiency of biomass to biohydrogen conversion which strongly depends on the its physical structure and fermentative medium conditions. Nanotechnology, being simple, cost effective have potential applications in various fields including agriculture, food, and energy. It is essential to have profound understanding of the physicochemical properties of lignocellulosic biomass and triggering role of nanomaterials prior to design and to operate biomass conversion processing facilities. In the present work we have shown comprehensive study of physicochemical and optical characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass from corn stover pretreated with ultrafine grinding and relationship between structural changes in pretreated biomass and nanomaterials concentration. The nanomaterials of SnO₂ with high catalytic efficiency were synthesized and optimized. The results were determined by SEM, XRD, TGA and FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy. Correlation between the change in pretreated lignocellulosic biomass structures, nanomaterials concentrations, and hydrogen production has been carried out. The maximum increase in biohydrogen production has been achieved when the biomass samples were pretreated with 8hours and nanomaterials concentration of 125mg/L. The smaller size of biomass offers more surface to volume ratio (S/R) which is also confirmed through SEM analysis. Our results highlight that in appropriate combination of pretreatment and addition of nanomaterials can be potential roadmap to enhance the biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass which can be prospective of sustainable energy supply.