Electrochemical process for converting agricultural waste into value-added products

• Grant number: 24/18422-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Program to Stimulate Scientific Vocations
• Start date: January 27, 2025
• End date: March 18, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Elisama Vieira dos Santos
• Grantee: João Pedro da Silva Mariano
• Host Institution: Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Natal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

From an economic perspective, the utilization of agricultural waste represents a promising bioconversion strategy for a circular economy, as these materials can be used to convert organic matter into products of industrial interest, while also aiding in the effective management of organic waste. The social challenge of the 2030 Agenda states the need for countries to become a green economy with the use of sustainable resources. To achieve this goal, the development of new technologies is necessary. In this context, photoelectrochemical processes have been standing out, and in addition to the application of low-cost materials, niobium derivatives have become an attractive material for the synthesis of nanomaterials (p-type (CuNb2O6 and MOFs) and n-type (Ti-O-Nb system)) for application in oxidation and/or conversion processes of organic compounds, such as phenolic acids and carboxylic acids. (AU)