Nano-enabled strategies for greenhouse gases emission mitigation: a comprehensive review

• Published in: Nano today 2024-08, Vol.57, p.102378, Article 102378
• Main Authors: Sun, Yi, Jiang, Yaqi, Wei, Haojie, Zhang, Ziqi, Irshad, Samina, Liu, XingXin, Xie, Yu, Rui, Yukui, Zhang, Peng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon capture and storage; Greenhouse gases mitigation; Nanotechnology
• ISSN: 1748-0132; 1878-044X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2024.102378

As climate change accelerates, urgent action to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions is imperative. Nanotechnology, with its unique nanoscale capabilities, offers a promising solution. This review explores nanotechnology's multifaceted applications and implications in GHGs reduction. The introduction underlines the increasing threat of climate change and presents nanotechnology as a transformative tool to combat this global issue. The review includes nanotechnology's diverse roles across different sectors, particularly showcasing its potential to revolutionize emission mitigation strategies. Specific focus is given to key areas where nanotechnology has a significant impact. The discussion covers nanomaterials' role in carbon capture and storage (CCS), highlighting their ability to adsorb CO2 from industrial processes and detailing advanced separation techniques. Nanocatalysts are spotlighted for catalytic conversion, driving reactions that transform GHGs into valuable products. The review extends its focus to renewable energy, demonstrating nanotechnology's potential to enhance solar cells, fuel cells, and energy storage systems. Furthermore, nanotechnology's contributions to GHGs emission from agriculture are explored, explaining how nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and soil management practices minimize emissions and support sustainable land use. Challenges and prospects are discussed, including nanomaterial toxicity, scalability, and ethical considerations. Regulatory frameworks and stakeholder engagement are explored to address nanotechnology's evolving role in GHGs emission mitigation. The review highlights nanotechnology's potential as a cross-disciplinary solution, driving innovation toward environmental sustainability. [Display omitted] •Introduce the potential of nanomaterials in carbon capture and storage.•Nanocatalysts catalyse conversion of GHGs into renewable energy sources.•Nanotechnology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.•Discussion of nanomaterial toxicity, scalability, and ethical considerations.