Advanced nanocatalytic strategies for pretreatment and saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass towards green-like processing

Abstract

The natural recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass to hydrolysis presents formidable challenges in biorefining and conversion, primarily due to the structural heterogeneity of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. Despite considerable endeavors by researchers, several pressing issues continue to persist, including prohibitive costs, the generation of fermentation inhibitors, and extended processing time. Emerging nanocatalytic technologies compared with traditional methods hold great potential for sustainable conversion of lignocellulose, which is attributed to nanoparticles' superb permeability, stabilization of enzyme activity, and inherent catalytic properties. However, existing literature often presents a fragmented perspective, focusing on individual aspects of nanotechnology applications without offering a comprehensive and systematic overview. In light of the advancements in nanocatalytic technologies for lignocellulose biorefining, this review comprehensively discusses the pivotal role of nanocatalytic technologies in enhancing the utilization of lignocellulosic materials, focusing on nano-biocatalysts, acid-functionalized nanoparticles (A-NPs), nanozymes, and integrated methodologies, while also encompassing their application in lignocellulosic pretreatment and sequential enzymatic digestion of cellulose nanofibrils. By sorting out their distinct features, we aim to offer valuable insights and recommendations that will propel the efficiency and sustainability of lignocellulosic biomass processing in both future research endeavors and practical applications.