Sustainability assessment of nanomaterials for the production of biofuels: Integrated methodological framework

Abstract Increasing applications of nanomaterials in the biofuels and bioenergy sector is pushing researchers to evaluate and assess their sustainability while considering multiple aspects. This chapter covers the sustainability issues regarding biofuels and bioenergy production using nanomaterials and includes the production of nanomaterials, their applications in biofuel production, and current methods and challenges in nanomaterial research. The chapter also presents the sustainability assessment methods and suggests improvement analysis by identifying important gaps in the current state of affairs and strategies for the near future for the use of nanomaterials for biofuel and bioenergy applications. Some key aspects are identified that should be considered for sustainability assessment of nanotechnology-based products and processes. The chapter also discusses issues concerning the sustainability assessment of the use of nanomaterials for biofuel production considering life cycle assessment and technoeconomic assessment and suggests an integrated methodological framework to account for the three sustainability dimensions (economic, environmental, and societal). It also discusses potential challenges and opportunities in nanomaterial research, along with issues such as data uncertainty and data availability for broader applications in the biofuels and bioenergy sector.