Bioinspired synthesis of iron-based nanomaterials for application in biofuels production: A new in-sight

Nanomaterials have been predicted to play a key role as catalysts in the renewable biofuels production process by altering the reaction mechanism. In biomass to the biofuels production process, iron performs major activity as the cofactor of sugar and biofuels producing enzymes which support microbial growth. The use of iron-based nanomaterials improves the biomass to biofuels production process and perhaps reduces the production cost due to its use in very low amount as the catalyst. Additionally, iron-based nanomaterials prepared via green route are known to support low cost of the biomass to renewable energy production through thermochemical and biochemical routes wherein the major cost is perhaps due to the catalyst synthesis. Though the green synthesis route of nanomaterial is non-toxic and sustainable, the lack of detailed information about the green synthesis and its mechanism continues to be an important issue. In this review different existing routes to synthesis of iron-based nanomaterials like using microorganism, green plants and biomass have been discussed in details along with their possible mechanisms involved therein. Additionally, impacts of various parameters employed in the green synthesis route have been discussed to explore the exact picture on the physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanomaterials. Finally, applications of iron-based nanomaterials as catalysts in thermochemical and biochemical energy production (e.g. liquid hydrocarbon, hydrogen) are presented and discussed. This comprehensive review provides a new insight on the bioinspired synthesis of iron-based nanomaterials and their applications to advance the existing biofuels production processes towards its sustainable commercialization through waste to value added technology.