Enhanced biohydrogen and subsequent biomethane production from sugarcane bagasse using nano-titanium dioxide pretreatment

• NanoTiO2–dilute H2SO4 hydrolysis was used to enhance the fermentation of bagasse.
• Using nanoTiO2 pretreatment, the acid hydrolysis time duration was reduced.
• Dark H2 fermentation was enhanced up to 127% using nanoTiO2 pretreatment.
• Biogas production was enhanced up to 74% compare to the raw bagasse.

Nano-titanium dioxide (nanoTiO2) under ultraviolet irradiation (UV) followed by dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse was used to enhance the production of biohydrogen and biomethane in a consecutive dark fermentation and anaerobic digestion. Different concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 g nanoTiO2/L under different UV times of 30, 60, 90 and 120 min were used. Sulfuric acid (2% v/v) at 121 °C was used for 15, 30 and 60 min to hydrolyze the pretreated bagasse. For acidic hydrolysis times of 15, 30 and 60 min, the highest total free sugar values were enhanced by 260%, 107%, and 189%, respectively, compared to samples without nanoTiO2 pretreatment. The highest hydrogen production samples for the same acidic hydrolysis times showed 88%, 127%, and 25% enhancement. The maximum hydrogen production of 101.5 ml/g VS (volatile solids) was obtained at 1 g nanoTiO2/L and 120 min UV irradiation followed by 30 min acid hydrolysis.

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