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Peng T, Zhang W, Liang B, Lian G, Zhang Y, Zhao W. Electrocatalytic valorization of lignocellulose-derived aromatics at industrial-scale current densities. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7229. [PMID: 37945615 PMCID: PMC10636212 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of lignocellulosic bio-oil to value-added chemicals offers an attractive avenue to use the increasing intermittent renewable electricity and biomass-derived feedstocks. However, to date the partial current densities to target products of these reactions are lower than those needed for industrial-scale productivity, which limits its prospects. Here we report a flow-cell system equipped with a Rh diffusion electrode to hydrogenate lignocellulose-derived aromatic monomers, such as furans and lignin monomers, to value-added chemicals. We achieve high faradaic efficiencies up to 64% at industrial-scale current densities of 300-500 mA cm-2, representing high productivities to target products. A screening of electrocatalysts indicates that only by highly-electrolyte-permeable Rh diffusion electrodes are we able to unite current density with faradaic efficiency. We apply in-situ infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy to investigate the electrode-potential-dependent reaction pathways and intermediates, confirming a wide potential window for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogenation of lignocellulose-derived aromatics to target products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Peng
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenbin Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Baiyao Liang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanwu Lian
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Zhang J, Suo C, Sun J, Li W, Luo S, Ma C, Liu S. Electrocatalysis Cα-Cβ and Cβ-O bond cleavage of lignin model compound using Ni-Co/C as catalyst electrode in deep eutectic solvent. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2023.117385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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Page JR, Manfredi Z, Bliznakov S, Valla JA. Recent Progress in Electrochemical Upgrading of Bio-Oil Model Compounds and Bio-Oils to Renewable Fuels and Platform Chemicals. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:394. [PMID: 36614733 PMCID: PMC9822173 DOI: 10.3390/ma16010394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable production of renewable carbon-based fuels and chemicals remains a necessary but immense challenge in the fight against climate change. Bio-oil derived from lignocellulosic biomass requires energy-intense upgrading to produce usable fuels or chemicals. Traditional upgrading methods such as hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) require high temperatures (200−400 °C) and 200 bar of external hydrogen. Electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH), on the other hand, operates at low temperatures (<80 °C), ambient pressure, and does not require an external hydrogen source. These environmental and economically favorable conditions make ECH a promising alternative to conventional thermochemical upgrading processes. ECH combines renewable electricity with biomass conversion and harnesses intermediately generated electricity to produce drop-in biofuels. This review aims to summarize recent studies on bio-oil upgrading using ECH focusing on the development of novel catalytic materials and factors impacting ECH efficiency and products. Here, electrode design, reaction temperature, applied overpotential, and electrolytes are analyzed for their impacts on overall ECH performance. We find that through careful reaction optimization and electrode design, ECH reactions can be tailored to be efficient and selective for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. Preliminary economic and environmental assessments have shown that ECH can be viable alternative to convention upgrading technologies with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 3 times compared to thermochemical upgrading. While the field of electrochemical upgrading of bio-oil has additional challenges before commercialization, this review finds ECH a promising avenue to produce renewable carbon-based drop-in biofuels. Finally, based on the analyses presented in this review, directions for future research areas and optimization are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R. Page
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Rd, Unit 3222, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
- Center for Clean Energy Engineering, University of Connecticut, 44 Weaver Rd, Unit 5233, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Zachary Manfredi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Stoyan Bliznakov
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Rd, Unit 3222, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
- Center for Clean Energy Engineering, University of Connecticut, 44 Weaver Rd, Unit 5233, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Julia A. Valla
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Rd, Unit 3222, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
- Center for Clean Energy Engineering, University of Connecticut, 44 Weaver Rd, Unit 5233, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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Ayub R, Raheel A. High-Value Chemicals from Electrocatalytic Depolymerization of Lignin: Challenges and Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073767. [PMID: 35409138 PMCID: PMC8999055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass is renewable and one of the most abundant sources for the production of high-value chemicals, materials, and fuels. It is of immense importance to develop new efficient technologies for the industrial production of chemicals by utilizing renewable resources. Lignocellulosic biomass can potentially replace fossil-based chemistries. The production of fuel and chemicals from lignin powered by renewable electricity under ambient temperatures and pressures enables a more sustainable way to obtain high-value chemicals. More specifically, in a sustainable biorefinery, it is essential to valorize lignin to enhance biomass transformation technology and increase the overall economy of the process. Strategies regarding electrocatalytic approaches as a way to valorize or depolymerize lignin have attracted significant interest from growing scientific communities over the recent decades. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the electrocatalytic methods for depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass with an emphasis on untargeted depolymerization as well as the selective and targeted mild synthesis of high-value chemicals. Electrocatalytic cleavage of model compounds and further electrochemical upgrading of bio-oils are discussed. Finally, some insights into current challenges and limitations associated with this approach are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Ayub
- RISE Processum AB, Bioeconomy and Health Division, SE-891 22 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
- Correspondence: or
| | - Ahmad Raheel
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan;
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Wang M, Feng Z. Interfacial processes in electrochemical energy systems. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:10453-10468. [PMID: 34494049 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc01703a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical energy systems such as batteries, water electrolyzers, and fuel cells are considered as promising and sustainable energy storage and conversion devices due to their high energy densities and zero or negative carbon dioxide emission. However, their widespread applications are hindered by many technical challenges, such as the low efficiency and poor long-term cyclability, which are mostly affected by the changes at the reactant/electrode/electrolyte interfaces. These interfacial processes involve ion/electron transfer, molecular/ion adsorption/desorption, and complex interface restructuring, which lead to irreversible modifications to the electrodes and the electrolyte. The understanding of these interfacial processes is thus crucial to provide strategies for solving those problems. In this review, we will discuss different interfacial processes at three representative interfaces, namely, solid-gas, solid-liquid, and solid-solid, in various electrochemical energy systems, and how they could influence the performance of electrochemical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoyu Wang
- School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
| | - Zhenxing Feng
- School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
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Biddinger EJ, Gutierrez OY, Holladay J. Electrochemical routes for biomass conversion. J APPL ELECTROCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10800-020-01525-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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