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Nanotechnologies transforming the future of biogas production: a current trend

H. A. Keerio,A. Alnadish,S. Panhwar,Zouhaib Ali,Sunel Kumar

Published 2025 in Biofuels

ABSTRACT

Abstract Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a widely used biological method to convert organic waste into methane-rich biogas. In recent years, researchers have explored additives like nanoparticles (NPs), biochar, trace elements, and microbial blends to improve the stability and output of AD systems. Among these, NPs have attracted significant attention because their large surface area and catalytic properties can boost microbial activity and speed up the breakdown of organic material. This review presents recent progress in using NPs for enhancing AD. It focuses on how particle size, shape, concentration, and surface properties affect digestion performance. Studies have shown that certain metal-based NPs can raise methane production by over 30%. They also reduce hydrogen sulfide and support better redox balance in digesters. However, high concentrations may be toxic to microbes. As a result, surface-modified or biologically synthesized NPs are being studied as safer alternatives. These modified NPs improve microbial access to the substrate by increasing membrane permeability and promoting biofilm formation. While lab-scale results are promising, commercial use remains limited. Factors such as cost, long-term safety, and process variability still pose challenges. This review highlights recent findings, identifies gaps in the literature, and suggests future directions for applying nanotechnology in full-scale biogas production. HIGHLIGHTS AD is an established and tested method for treating organic waste. Additives like nanoparticles, biochar, bacteria, and trace elements are used in AD. Less than 50mg/L of nanoparticles is beneficial for the AD process.

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