Over
the past decade, metal-loaded hollow carbon nanostructures
have been hailed as man-made nanoreactors (MHC nanoreactors) for extensive
applications in dealing with energy and environmental issues due to
their tailorable structure and electronic properties. Unlike conventional
reports of hollow nanostructures with regard to synthetic methodologies
or structural properties, a distinctive viewpoint on the microenvironment
effects of MHC nanoreactors, i.e., metal–support interaction
effect, reactant enrichment effect, molecular sieving effect, spatial
compartmentation effect, and metal stabilization effect, is highlighted
herein from this perspective. Furthermore, to emphasize the great
potential of MHC nanoreactors in constructing a sustainable energy
system to achieve a greener modern lifestyle, a review of the applications
of MHC nanoreactors in the hydrogenation of typical biomass-derived
molecules is presented. Additionally, prospects for broader biomass
valorization applications of MHC nanoreactors, i.e., in situ hydrogen source-assisted hydrogenation, hydrogenation-involved cascade-type
reactions, hydrogenation product distribution modulation, stability
prolongation and recyclability enhancement, are forecasted. Toward
the end of this paper, some feasible suggestions are further proposed
for the enhancement of the catalytic reactivity, selectivity, stability,
and sustainability of MHC nanoreactors in biomass hydrogenation, with
a sincere expectation to contribute to the development of a highly
efficient biomass refining system.