Hazards and environmental effects of nanomaterials in bioenergy applications

Abstract Nanotechnology and its applications have grown exponentially as one of the technologies of the 21st century. Future possibilities in different fields of nanomaterials in bioenergy applications seem unlimited. Nanotechnology has various applications, for example, variation in feedstocks and increase in more efficient catalysts. Many enzymes have been widely used for the production of biofuels, biogas, bioethanol, and biodiesel for breakdown of biomass. Moreover our natural resources including hydroenergy, solar energy, and biogas energies are different types of nonconventional resources the outputs of which can be increased by applying nanotechnology. However, in recent times, many scientists and environmentalists have identified a number of hazards that affect human and environmental health because of exposure to nanomaterials. The small size of engineered nanomaterials implies a greater risk of uptake (e.g., by breathing) and interacting with sensitive organs or ecosystem components. This raises concerns not only about public health but also about broader environmental impacts. The adverse health effects for workers in the nanotechnology industries and the nanopollution impact on the environment have become recent concerns. Possible risks from nanomaterials such as carbon nanomaterials, silica nanoparticles, quantum dots, and carbon and TiO2 nanoparticles, are pulmonary inflammation, granulomas, and fibrosis, skin penetration, and distribution into other organs including the central nervous system, with particular toxicity due to the micron-sized particles.