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Upgrading biomass to gasoline
Carbon nanotubes (white) were grown on metal oxide nanoparticles (orange). The particles are drawn to oil-water interfaces, and the addition of palladium (yellow) creates catalysts that can work in both phases © Science
Making cheap gasoline from biomass is a step closer, thanks to a new catalyst developed in the US. The catalyst - which is made from metal nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes - straddles the boundary between water and oil and could greatly help in 'upgrading' crude biomass into useful fuel.
Large quantities of biomass are produced each year, such as waste plant material from farming and the paper industry, and biodegradable home waste. These mixtures can be heated to produce a sticky liquid known as 'bio-oil', which needs further refinement before it can be put to use. More...
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2010/January/07011002.asp
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