Depolymerization of residual lignins from cellulosic ethanol: towards a novel platform for renewable chemicals

• Grant number: 21/13455-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Driemeier
• Grantee: Gustavo Rodrigues Gomes
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50884-5 - INCT 2014: National Institute of Science and Technology of Bioethanol, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/09157-1 - Transforming residual lignins from cellulosic ethanol into hydrocarbons for sustainable aviation biofuels, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Transforming lignin into renewable chemicals is a grand challenge in modern biomass biorefining. The novel biorefining landscape introduced by cellulosic ethanol creates new opportunities for processing its residual lignin (E2G lignin). Due to the leadership of Brazil and the State of São Paulo in sugarcane cellulosic ethanol, we are at a privileged position to develop the science and technology for transforming the E2G lignins into a novel platform for production of renewable chemicals. This project investigates the depolymerization of E2G lignins as the central step of lignin-to-chemicals conversion pathways. E2G lignins from sugarcane bagasse with variable contents of residual carbohydrates and degrees of condensation (% C-C interunit linkages) are investigated. Thermal methods (hydrothermal and pyrolytic) are considered as more mature technologies for lignin depolymerization with sufficient severity to break the recalcitrant C-C linkages. In addition, deep eutectic solvents are considered as a non-conventional method with promising prospects to reveal novel aspects of the E2G lignin chemistry. Experiments are planned to reveal (i) the specificities of depolymerization of E2G lignin from sugarcane bagasse and (ii) the key chemical reactions taking place under the lignin depolymerization conditions. In this way, this project aims at the fundamentals for transforming E2G lignins into a platform for production of renewable chemicals.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GOMES, GUSTAVO R.; DE JESUS, ESTER G.; JACINTHO, JAQUELINE C. C.; GARCIA, DIANA L. G.; ALENCAR, BARBARA R. A.; GABETTO, FERNANDA P.; GOMES, JOICE J.; CARVALHO, JOAO L. N.; STRAUSS, MATHIAS; DRIEMEIER, CARLOS. Peculiarities of bio-oil and biochar obtained from the lignin-rich residue of the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse. RENEWABLE ENERGY, v. 241, p. 10-pg., 2025-01-09. (14/50884-5, 16/50403-2, 21/13455-2, 23/01468-8)

MENEZES, FABRICIA F.; NASCIMENTO, VIVIANE M.; GOMES, GUSTAVO R.; ROCHA, GEORGE. J. M.; STRAUSS, MATHIAS; JUNQUEIRA, TASSIA L.; DRIEMEIER, CARLOS. Depolymerization of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin: Review of technologies and opportunities for research. FUEL, v. 342, p. 15-pg., 2023-02-19. (21/13455-2, 19/22213-2, 14/50884-5)