Review: Nanoparticles can change (bio)hydrogen competitiveness

Abstract

Hydrogen has a negligible share on the global fuel market, yet it attracts a lot of investors. The main obstacle to the development of the hydrogen economy is its low cost-competitiveness. In order to meet energy demand and mitigate environmental damage, it is advisable to replace the existing fossil fuels with technologies that are more environmentally friendly and cost-competitive at the same time. Nowadays, some 97 % of hydrogen production comes from steam reforming of natural gas via energy that is obtained from fossil fuels. The production costs for 1 kg of hydrogen produced in this way, are between 2 and 4 euro, while approximately 10 kg of CO2 is emitted. The production cost of hydrogen produced by electrolysis from water is about 7 euro, 80 % of which is electricity cost. The production of (bio)hydrogen (via photobiological and dark fermentation techniques) from biowaste using renewable energy sources has recently come to the fore. This review discusses use of various types of nanoparticles (organic and inorganic) in (bio)hydrogen production. A diversity of organisms, in pure as well as mixed forms, could perhaps produce (bio)hydrogen using pure (preferably simple form) carbohydrates and biowaste as a feedstock in the existence of various forms of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the (bio)hydrogen production potential (and cost), have indeed been reported to change considerably depending on what type of nanoparticles used as well as their dosage.