Nanoparticles make biofuel production more efficient

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Biofuel production currently involves a complex mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic liquids, along with one or more catalysts. Getting them all together and separating out the fuel can be a time-consuming challenge. Researchers have now used carbon nanotubes and oxidized metals to create a solid that is both hydrophilic and hydrophobic and sits between oil and alcohol layers, mediating their interactions.

Making biofuel using current methods can be a bit tedious. Recipes generally involve mixing some kind of bio-oil, often vegetable oil, with an alcohol, usually methanol, along with a catalyst such as lye. Once these have all been combined, they react to form the desired biofuel, glycerine, and some excess soap, water, and alcohol. All of these will, for the most part, separate into layers like with a vinaigrette dressing if allowed to sit for a long enough time.

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