1 research outputs found
Total Utilization of Miscanthus Biomass, Lignin and Carbohydrates, Using Earth Abundant Nickel Catalyst
Lignin
as a polymer of monomeric aromatic compounds retains great
potential to be a source for liquid fuels and valuable chemicals.
However, lignin from biomass has been traditionally treated as a waste
byproduct and in most applications burned for its heat value. In this
work, we report the catalytic conversion of lignin in Miscanthus into
aromatic products by using earth-abundant Ni catalyst supported on
activated carbon, under relatively mild conditions. The special ferulate
linkage in grasses gives methyl ferulate ester and its derivatives,
which were not observed for wood biomass substrates. By modification
of the reaction conditions, saturated or unsaturated branched products
can be obtained selectively. Optimal conditions give over 68% yield
of select aromatic products from lignin. Furthermore, after lignin
depolymerization and upgrading, the carbohydrates of miscanthus were
recovered as a solid residue, which upon treatment with iron chloride
produced useful platform chemicals (furfurals and levulinic acid).
On the basis of our study, all three major components of biomass (lignin,
cellulose and hemicellulose) are effectively utilized, with an overall
55% conversion of total accessible biomass into high value chemicals
with 98% mass balance