Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tao Peng, Wenbin Zhang, Baiyao Liang, Guanwu Lian, Yun Zhang, Wei Zhao
Summary: This study reports a flow-cell system equipped with a highly-electrolyte permeable Rh diffusion electrode for electrocatalytic hydrogenation of important bio-oil aromatic molecules at industrial-scale current densities. The research shows that the high faradaic efficiencies and productivities can be achieved by using highly-electrolyte permeable Rh diffusion electrodes, which improves the industrial-scale productivity of the reaction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Yanuar Philip Wijaya, Kevin J. Smith, Chang Soo Kim, Elod L. Gyenge
Summary: Valorization of biomass-derived substrates via electrocatalytic hydrogenation-hydrogenolysis is an attractive approach for selective production of organic chemicals. The electrocatalytic activity is strongly dependent on the surface coverage of adsorbed hydrogen radicals, which is a complex function of the catalytically active surface sites, electrolyte, and electrode potential. Efficient reductive upgrading of lignin model compounds can be achieved under mild conditions via electrocatalysis in the slurry reactor by exploiting synergistic effects between the catalyst and electrolyte.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Harussani Moklis, Cheng Shuo, Sasipa Boonyubol, Jeffrey S. Cross
Summary: Efficient reduction of glycerol into various products via the electrocatalytic reduction (ECR) process has been studied, addressing the underutilization of glycerol. However, challenges such as catalyst costs, product yields, and selectivity need to be overcome for the widespread application of glycerol ECR technology.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Qiaolong Zhai, Shuangmei Han, Chung-Yun Hse, Jianchun Jiang, Junming Xu
Summary: A simple ECH process using a fluidized electrocatalytic hydrogenation (FECH) system was reported for converting lignin monomers, dimers, and lignin oil into hydrocarbons. The co-driven catalytic process with NaBH4 and PW12 achieved high-performance hydrogenation of lignin oil. The results demonstrated selective and high-yield hydrogenation of lignin-derived substrates under mild conditions.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ludmila Martinkova, Michal Grulich, Miroslav Patek, Barbora Kristkova, Margit Winkler
Summary: Lignins are complex and resistant biopolymers composed of aromatic units. The depolymerization and treatment of lignin pose challenges because of their complexity. This review focuses on biocatalyzed reactions of lignin monomers, such as vanillin, vanillic acid, syringaldehyde, and others, to produce useful chemicals. The technological maturity of these processes is evaluated, and comparisons with chemically catalyzed reactions are made.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Erika Bartolomei, Yann Le Brech, Roger Gadiou, Frederique Bertaud, Sebastien Leclerc, Loic Vidal, Jean-Marc Le Meins, Anthony Dufour
Summary: Three complementary Kraft lignins and a Soda lignin were characterized by NMR and GPC, with their theoretical yield in monomers calculated based on the analyses. The most recalcitrant Kraft lignin was depolymerized in supercritical ethanol with Pt/C, Ni/C, and Ru/C catalysts, demonstrating the important effect of catalysts on monomers, oligomers, and char yields. The study also showed that lignin structure plays a role in the depolymerization mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaili Zhang, Qinglei Meng, Haihong Wu, Jiang Yan, Xuelei Mei, Pengfei An, Lirong Zheng, Jing Zhang, Mingyuan He, Buxing Han
Summary: CeO2-supported Ru single-atom catalysts enable the hydrogenation of the benzene ring and catalyze etheric C-O(R) bond cleavage, leading to high yields of cyclohexanols.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ming Yang, Zhenran Yuan, Rixin Peng, Shuangyin Wang, Yuqin Zou
Summary: Electrocatalytic valorization of biomass derivatives is achieved through renewable energy sources, enabling a shift from centralized and energy-intensive processes to decentralized and low-temperature conversions. This approach offers an efficient, green, and additive-free strategy with tunable product selectivity. However, the scale-up application is hindered by challenges in conversion rates and selectivity. Further research on reaction mechanisms and development of efficient and selective electrocatalysts are needed to facilitate larger industrialization applications.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Christophe Coutanceau, Neha Neha, Thibault Rafaideen
Summary: Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable carbon reservoir for the production of biofuels and chemicals. However, the low solubility and accessibility of the raw biopolymers hinder efficient conversion into useful compounds. Exploring alternative bio-sourced media and developing selective catalytic materials are important challenges for future biorefinery processes.
CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Destiny Konadu, Caroline Rosemyya Kwawu, Richard Tia, Evans Adei, Nora Henriette de Leeuw
Summary: Calculations based on density functional theory have revealed the reaction mechanism of guaiacol's hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) over a Cu (111) surface, leading to the formation of catechol and anisole. The production of catechol is primarily achieved through direct demethylation, while anisole is mainly formed via direct dehydroxylation. Thermodynamically, catechol formation is favored over anisole due to the weaker interaction with the Cu (111) surface.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ming Zhao, Liang Zhao, Xiao-Yan Zhao, Jing-Pei Cao, Koh-ichi Maruyama
Summary: In this study, three types of Pd-based nano-catalysts were prepared and their application in the depolymerization of alkali lignin was explored under H-2-free and H-2 atmosphere conditions. The results showed that the ternary Pd-Ni-P catalyst exhibited remarkable performance and could produce guaiacols under H-2 atmosphere conditions with a yield of 14.2 wt.% and a selectivity of 89%. This work suggests that metal phosphides could be promising catalysts for converting lignin and lignin-derived feedstocks into high-value chemicals.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tong Li, Hao Li, Guoming Huang, Xinhui Shen, Siqi Wang, Chunli Li
Summary: This study successfully developed an efficient Ni/C catalyst derived from waste biomass tar for selective hydrogenation-transalkylation of guaiacol, achieving excellent catalytic performance and providing a basis for designing green and efficient catalysts derived from tar for biomass upgrading.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Karelle S. Guiao, Arvind Gupta, Costas Tzoganakis, Tizazu H. Mekonnen
Summary: The effective utilization of biomass components is of great importance in the fields of energy and materials. Green processes, such as extrusion and reactive extrusion, are desired for their high yield and low cost. Reactive extrusion, with its combination of physical and chemical deconstruction, has shown promising results in the deconstruction of biomasses and recovery of valuable components.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chen Huang, Yunni Zhan, Jia Wang, Jinyuan Cheng, Xianzhi Meng, Luna Liang, Fangmin Liang, Yongjun Deng, Guigan Fang, Arthur J. Ragauskas
Summary: Current studies on liquid hot water pretreatment focus on cellulose and hemicellulose conversion, but neglect the extraction and utilization of LHWP-induced lignin. This research proposes a series of LHWP-based combinatorial pretreatments using advanced solvent systems and investigates the physiochemical properties of the untreated and pretreated substrates to understand the mechanisms of different combinatorial pretreatments for facilitating integrated biomass valorization.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinyuan Cheng, Xuze Liu, Chen Huang, Yunni Zhan, Caoxing Huang, Tingjun Chen, Xianzhi Meng, Chang Geun Yoo, Guigan Fang, Arthur J. Ragauskas
Summary: A biphasic solvent process combining deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and γ-valerolactone (GVL) was studied for efficient glucan saccharification, furfural production, and lignin recovery. This process significantly enhanced cellulose enzymatic saccharification by removing lignin and xylan, while preserving the structure of recovered lignin and achieving satisfactory furfural yield.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Robertus Dhimas Dhewangga Putra, Heather L. Trajano, Shida Liu, Hyunjoo Lee, Kevin Smith, Chang Soo Kim
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2018)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yanuar Philip Wijaya, Robertus Dhimas Dhewangga Putra, Vania Tanda Widyaya, Jeong-Myeong Ha, Dong Jin Suh, Chang Soo Kim
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Polymer Science
Vania Tanda Widyaya, Huyen Thanh Vo, Robertus Dhimas Dhewangga Putra, Woon Sung Hwang, Byoung Sung Ahn, Hyunjoo Lee
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2013)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shida Liu, Haiyan Wang, Robertus Dhimas Dhewangga Putra, Chang Soo Kim, Kevin J. Smith
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanuar Philip Wijaya, Tobias Grossmann-Neuhaeusler, Robertus Dhimas Dhewangga Putra, Kevin J. Smith, Chang Soo Kim, Elod L. Gyenge
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Robertus D. D. Putra, Yanuar P. Wijaya, Rebecca Liang, Kevin J. Smith, Heather L. Trajano, Chang Soo Kim
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wonjun Choi, Hyeonmin Jo, Jae-Wook Choi, Dong Jin Suh, Hyunjoo Lee, Changsoo Kim, Kwang Ho Kim, Kwan-Young Lee, Jeong-Myeong Ha
Summary: In this study, Ru-added transition metal catalysts were used for the mild hydrotreating of acid-rich biomass pyrolysis oil, leading to stabilization of the oil, reduction in acidity, and higher organic compound yields. Bimetallic catalysts showed good decarboxylation activity for the removal of carboxylic acids and were deemed suitable for feedstocks requiring suppression of organic reactant loss. The improved catalytic activity of Ru-added transition metals can be attributed to their high acid site densities and enhanced hydrogenation activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Haiyan Wang, Shida Liu, Mark Schmiss, Chang Soo Kim, Kevin J. Smith
Summary: In this study, Mo2C catalysts promoted with Ni or Pd on activated biochar were synthesized and evaluated for the hydrodeoxygenation of dibenzofuran (DBF) as a model bio-oil reactant. It was found that Ni and Pd improved the activity of the catalysts and changed the selectivity, which was correlated with the oxidation degree on the catalyst surface.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi Hua, Li-Yang Liu, Mijung Cho, Muzaffer A. Karaaslan, Huaiyu Zhang, Chang Soo Kim, Scott Renneckar
Summary: Introducing vinyl groups onto technical lignin backbone creates reactive renewable polymers suitable for radical polymerization. Softwood kraft lignin was chemically modified through etherification and esterification with acrylic acid. Fractionation and esterification resulted in lignin with defined molar mass and vinyl functional groups, making it suitable for further copolymerization with hydrophobic monomers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kwang Ho Kim, Yaseen Mottiar, Keunhong Jeong, Phuong Hoang Nguyen Tran, Ngoc Tuan Tran, Jingshun Zhuang, Chang Soo Kim, Hyunjoo Lee, Gyeongtaek Gong, Ja Kyong Ko, Sun-Mi Lee, So Young Kim, Ji Yeon Shin, Hanseob Jeong, Hyun Kyu Song, Chang Geun Yoo, Nak-Kyoon Kim, Shawn D. Mansfield
Summary: Multidisciplinary approaches are needed to overcome technical and technoeconomic challenges in sustainable biorefinery development. In this study, transgenic poplar biomass was converted into bioproducts using biocompatible deep eutectic solvents. Engineered poplar wood with increased levels of p-hydroxybenzoate (pHB) had reduced recalcitrance and released more fermentable sugars for bioethanol production. The residual lignin was a valuable source of alkylphenols. Integrating plant cell wall engineering and process consolidation using biocompatible DESs enables the efficient utilization of carbohydrates and lignin in sustainable biorefineries.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanuar Philip Wijaya, Kevin J. Smith, Chang Soo Kim, Elod L. Gyenge
Summary: This study demonstrates the electrcoatalytic hydrodeoxygenation of lignin model compounds under mild conditions using a three-component electrolyte system. Fully saturated and deoxygenated products were obtained with high selectivity and conversion. The presence of isopropanol and salt in the electrolyte played crucial roles in substrate solubilization and improving the reaction.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanuar Philip Wijaya, Kevin J. Smith, Chang Soo Kim, Elod L. Gyenge