Microwave-assisted catalytic depolymerization of lignin from birch sawdust to produce phenolic monomers utilizing a hydrogen-free strategy

TY - JOUR

T1 - Microwave-assisted catalytic depolymerization of lignin from birch sawdust to produce phenolic monomers utilizing a hydrogen-free strategy

AU - Liu, Xudong

AU - Bouxin, Florent P.

AU - Fan, Jiajun

AU - Budarin, Vitaliy L.

AU - Hu, Changwei

AU - Clark, James H.

PY - 2021/1/15

Y1 - 2021/1/15

N2 - Catalytic hydrogenolysis of lignin to obtain value-added phenolic chemicals is a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for the efficient valorization of biomass derived wastes. Herein, an innovative approach by using a single-step microwave assisted depolymerization of lignin from birch sawdust without external hydrogen in the mixture of water-alcohol (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol) co-solvents over commercial catalysts (Pd/C, Pt/C, Ru/C) was investigated. A 65 wt% yield of phenolic monomers was obtained based on 43.8 wt% of delignification (190 °C, 3 h). The solid residues retained 92.0 wt% of cellulose and 57.3 wt% of hemicellulose, which could be further used for fermentation or in the pulp industry. Analysis of the lignin oil revealed that in-situ hydrogen generated from methanol decomposition promoted the hydrogenolysis of β–O–4 ether linkage and selective hydrogenation of unsaturated side-chains of phenolic monomers. This work introduces new perspectives for the efficient and cost-effective production of value-added phenolic compounds from lignin in agro-industrial wastes without external hydrogen assisted by microwave heating.

AB - Catalytic hydrogenolysis of lignin to obtain value-added phenolic chemicals is a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for the efficient valorization of biomass derived wastes. Herein, an innovative approach by using a single-step microwave assisted depolymerization of lignin from birch sawdust without external hydrogen in the mixture of water-alcohol (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol) co-solvents over commercial catalysts (Pd/C, Pt/C, Ru/C) was investigated. A 65 wt% yield of phenolic monomers was obtained based on 43.8 wt% of delignification (190 °C, 3 h). The solid residues retained 92.0 wt% of cellulose and 57.3 wt% of hemicellulose, which could be further used for fermentation or in the pulp industry. Analysis of the lignin oil revealed that in-situ hydrogen generated from methanol decomposition promoted the hydrogenolysis of β–O–4 ether linkage and selective hydrogenation of unsaturated side-chains of phenolic monomers. This work introduces new perspectives for the efficient and cost-effective production of value-added phenolic compounds from lignin in agro-industrial wastes without external hydrogen assisted by microwave heating.

KW - Birch sawdust

KW - In-situ hydrogen

KW - Lignin valorization

KW - Microwave heating

KW - Phenolic monomers

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088402558&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123490

DO - 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123490

M3 - Article

C2 - 32712365

AN - SCOPUS:85088402558

SN - 0304-3894

VL - 402

JO - Journal of hazardous materials

JF - Journal of hazardous materials

M1 - 123490

ER -