Enhancement of Biohydrogen Production Using Chemical Additives and Nanoparticles

Biohydrogen is a promising fuel with the potential to satisfy the need for environment-friendly energy sources. The low efficiency of biohydrogen production is a bottleneck to the scale-up prospects for its production. Different enhancement strategies have been suggested to improve biohydrogen production efficiency. This chapter critically reviews some biohydrogen production processes, pretreatment technologies, chemicals (metal monomers, ions, and oxides, EDTA, vitamins, buffer solution, and surfactants), and nanoparticles used in the fermentation process. The impact of the additives on biohydrogen production and corresponding functional mechanisms were discussed. Furthermore, a bibliometric technique was used to fully explain the recent development, present trends, and prospective future of biohydrogen generation enhancement. From the available literature, there is a significant correlation between bio-H2 production and the corresponding chemical additives and nanoparticles. Reagent supplements, nanomaterial, and pretreatment techniques have been used to improve the biodegradability of organic substrates for higher biohydrogen production rates. Finally, recommendations for future researchers, investors, and stakeholders are proposed to encourage renewable energy generation and sustainable production technologies.