Efficient Metal-Acid Bifunctional Catalysts Derived from NiAl-LDO for the Reductive Catalytic Fractionation of Lignocellulose into Phenolic Monomers

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Xiaomeng Yang
  • Fei Geng
  • Zhengzeng Yang
  • Dan Wu
  • Yongsheng Zhang

Related Research Unit(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13816–13825
Journal / PublicationACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
Volume12
Issue number37
Online published5 Sept 2024
Publication statusPublished - 16 Sept 2024

Abstract

Reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) is a promising lignin-first strategy to produce valuable phenolics from lignocellulosic biomass. However, this method encounters the challenges of a low yield of phenolic monomers and the use of expensive noble metal catalysts. In this study, a reduced NiAl layered double oxide (NiAl-LDO) catalyst is reported for the RCF of lignocellulosic biomass with high depolymerization efficiency and phenolic monomer yields. The RCF reaction of pine at 260 °C yielded 27.49 wt % of lignin oil and 21.62 wt % of phenolic monomers, with a delignification degree of 92.62%. In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the solid carbohydrate pulp fraction retained up to 80.63% cellulose, which can be used as an economical feedstock for the production of other platform chemicals. Further characterization and mechanistic studies including NH3-TPD, Py-FTIR, and 2D HSQC NMR revealed that the strong acidic sites derived from Ni2+ at the metal-support interface play a crucial role in promoting the hydrogenolysis of aryl ether bonds within lignin, thereby significantly improving the yield of phenolic compounds. Understanding the role of the NiAl-LDO catalyst acidity in the RCF reaction is beneficial for the production of phenolic products from biomass based on a lignin-first strategy. © 2024 American Chemical Society.

Research Area(s)

  • Lewis acidity, lignin-first strategy, Ni-based catalyst, phenolic compounds, reductive catalytic fractionation

Citation Format(s)

Efficient Metal-Acid Bifunctional Catalysts Derived from NiAl-LDO for the Reductive Catalytic Fractionation of Lignocellulose into Phenolic Monomers. / Yang, Xiaomeng; Geng, Fei; Yang, Zhengzeng et al.
In: ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Vol. 12, No. 37, 16.09.2024, p. 13816–13825.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review