Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Katarzyna Przygrodzka, Magdalena Chareza, Agnieszka Banaszek, Beata Zielinska, Ewa Ekiert, Radoslaw Drozd
Summary: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a unique biopolymer synthesized by bacteria with high crystallinity and special properties. This study found that using enzymes to convert sucrose, lactose, and starch into BC synthesis carbon sources is feasible and efficient.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shaofei Sun, Shaochao Sun, Kangning Liu, Ling-Ping Xiao, Jiliang Ma, Runcang Sun
Summary: In this study, a novel metal-free photocatalyst (4CzIPN@CMC-HG) was proposed, which achieved efficient photocatalytic biomass conversion to value-added chemicals. 4CzIPN@CMC-HG exhibited excellent photon-to-electron conversion rate, visible light absorption, and photocatalytic activity for lactic acid production. The system also showed universality, stability, and potential industrial application. The trapping experiments revealed the contributions of different reactive species in lactic acid synthesis, with O-2(-) playing a leading role.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhiming Yang, Rongrong Gao, Minghui Zhong, Chunyan Zhang, Zeheng Zhou, Chao Yao, Xiazhang Li
Summary: Using natural minerals to convert nitrogen and biomass under renewable solar energy is promising. In this study, Fe-Pal loaded with CuFe2O4 was used for photocatalytic cellulose reformation and nitrogen fixation. The optimized CuFe2O4 content resulted in a high yield of 2,5-Diformylfuran (DFF) and ammonia. The Fe-Pal enabled N-2 adsorption and the CuFe2O4 nanorods enhanced absorbance range and thermal activation, enhancing the cellulose transformation.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yingfeng Wang, Timo Paakkonen, Kim Miikki, Ndegwa H. Maina, Kaarlo Nieminen, Aleksi Zitting, Paavo Penttila, Han Tao, Eero Kontturi
Summary: In this study, pressurized HCl gas was used to efficiently hydrolyze different crystalline forms of cellulose, while suppression of harmful humin formation was achieved by adding chlorite. The cellulose I and II polymorphs yielded 50-70% glucose, and cellulose III and II showed >90% monosaccharide conversion. Purification of products from the gas-solid mixture was relatively easy, and the gaseous catalyst was easier to recycle than its aqueous counterpart. These results lay down the groundwork for practical solutions in cellulose hydrolysis, ensuring controlled side reactions, efficient conversion rates, and effortless recovery of products and reagents.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ze-Xin Huang, Chi Ma, Fu-Guang Zhang, Quan Cheng, Qing-Yu Liu, Yong-Jun Yuan, Xuefeng Zhang
Summary: Sub-10 nm anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and Pt nanoclusters were used as photocatalysts for lignocellulosic biomass-to-H-2 conversion. The optimized Pt NCs/TiO2 catalyst showed high photocatalytic H-2 production activity due to the large specific surface of sub-10 nm TiO2 and the fast H-2 generation kinetics of Pt NCs. This study provides new insight into the design of highly-efficient photocatalysts for lignocellulosic biomass-to-H-2 conversion systems.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nives Hribernik, Denisa Vargova, Marlene C. S. Dal Colle, Jia Hui Lim, Giulio Fittolani, Yang Yu, Junki Fujihara, Kai Ludwig, Peter H. Seeberger, Yu Ogawa, Martina Delbianco
Summary: This study demonstrates the designability of oligosaccharides in accessing materials with tunable shapes and properties. Synthetic cellulose-based oligomers were assembled into 2D or 3D rod-like crystallites or elongated aggregates with tunable surfaces, resulting in self-healing supramolecular hydrogels. These synthetic carbohydrate-based materials provide new tools for material scientists and supramolecular chemists.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chun Shi, Lili Zhang, Zhengjun Shi, Jinxia Ma, Zhiguo Wang
Summary: Designing a green method to enhance the utilization of photocatalysts on solar energy is significant. The porous ZnO-based catalysts with different valence copper (CuO-ZnOCel-T and Cu-ZnOCel-T) showed excellent photocatalytic activities. The reduction of CuO-ZnOCel-T to Cu-ZnOCel-T using wheat straw significantly improved the CO production rate, indicating the potential of biomass materials in tailoring catalyst performance.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mi Gao, Zhicheng Jiang, Wei Ding, Bi Shi
Summary: The study demonstrated successful selective degradation of hemicellulose in pubescen with a high conversion rate, and effective disruption of oligosaccharides assisted by ZrOCl2 to obtain smaller molecules, paving the way for sustainable application in the leather industry.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Chunjie Wei, Gang Liu, Yujiao Xie, Zhongyuan Sun, Chang Liu, Feng Song, Hongyou Cui
Summary: In this study, a series of molten salt hydrates (MSH) were evaluated for their ability to dissolve cellulose and catalyze its conversion into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). ZnBr2 center dot 3H(2)O-LiCl center dot 3H(2)O showed good performance in cellulose dissolution and conversion. By optimizing the concentration of ZnBr2 center dot 3H(2)O, reaction temperature, and time, a maximum HMF yield of 48.7% was achieved. The species present in ZnBr2 center dot 3H(2)O-LiCl center dot 3H(2)O were analyzed, and it was found that Br- and H+ were the active species for fructose dehydration into HMF. ZnBr3- and H+ catalyzed the conversion of fructose into furfural, competing with HMF production. The proposed reaction mechanism provides insight into the cooperative role of species in MSH for cellulose conversion.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhicheng Jiang, Mi Gao, Wei Ding, Chenjun Huang, Changwei Hu, Bi Shi, Daniel C. W. Tsang
Summary: The selective degradation of hemicellulose in corncob and oxidation of oligosaccharides allows for the production of masking agents with high coordination ability, facilitating the penetration of metal species into the leather matrix. By controlling the degradation of hemicellulose and oxidation of oligosaccharides, an efficient masking effect can be achieved, leading to a uniform distribution of metal species and improved shrinkage temperature in chrome-free tanned leather.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Yijie Ren, Joel Jie Foo, Deqian Zeng, Wee-Jun Ong
Summary: Photocatalysis, as an attractive technology for addressing the energy crisis, has gained tremendous interest. Zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4), a non-toxic and low-cost material, holds great potential for photocatalytic energy applications. However, its performance needs to be improved due to low charge-carrier transfer rate and ultrafast electron-hole recombination. This review summarizes the energy applications of ZnIn2S4-based nanocomposites and discusses various modification methods for enhancing their photocatalytic performance. The design strategies and important energy conversion applications are also highlighted.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liang Chen, Yiming Huang, Ren Zou, Jiliang Ma, Tingzhen Li, Mingsai Li, Qi Hao, Haibo Xie, Xinwen Peng
Summary: In this study, a TiO2/Ti3C2 photocatalyst was successfully designed for the oxidation of xylose to d-xylonic acid under ambient conditions, achieving a yield of 64.2% with excellent stability. Mechanistic study revealed that electron transfer from TiO2 to Ti3C2 significantly increased the life time of light-induced charge carriers, leading to improved photocatalytic performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianhao Qiu, Lu Zhang, Dingliang Dai, Guanglu Xia, Jianfeng Yao
Summary: Cellulose-derived carbon dot-directed growth of ZnIn2S4 was achieved through hydrothermal treatment of carboxylated cellulose followed by in situ growth of ZnIn2S4 nanosheets. The resultant CC/ZnIn2S4 demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic activity and can be used for visible-light catalytic reactions.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Zhonghua Li, Zhiguo Yi, Zhaosheng Li, Zhigang Zou
Summary: Currently, methane conversion relies heavily on high-temperature thermocatalysis technology, which has drawbacks such as high energy consumption, equipment requirements, and reaction temperature leading to shortened catalyst lifetime. Therefore, there is a need to develop a new technology for effectively utilizing and transforming methane under mild conditions. Solar energy, as a clean and renewable energy source, has attracted significant attention for its potential in catalytic methane conversion.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Tao Wang, Cailiang Zhang, Hui Feng, Qingjun Zou, Wenrui Huang, Jiacong Wu, Juan Han, Yun Wang
Summary: A green and effective stepwise catalytic system for cellulose conversion to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was developed. The system involved fast dissolution of cellulose using ZnBr2 center dot 4H(2)O as the solvent, preparation of enzyme-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers as biocatalysts, and dehydration of fructose to 5-HMF using HCl as the catalyst. Under optimal conditions, the yield of 5-HMF from cellulose was about 21.6%.
