CuO as (electro)catalyst for lignin valorization

Author(s)

Dourado, Andre H. B. ; Santos, Matheus ; Curvelo, Antonio A. S. ; Varela, Hamilton

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL; v. 671, p. 13-pg., 2024-01-30.

Abstract

Biorefinery is gaining attention as a way to obtain several high-value products in a green approach. Biomass can be used to obtain fuels, like ethanol. The waste, rich in lignins, can be (electro)chemically transformed into monophenols and other fuels, like hydrogen. This macromolecule has a complex structure and the optimization of (electro)catalysts for its depolymerization is difficult, mainly because the lack of fundamental knowledge. Because of this, we decided to compare thermo and electrochemical catalysis, using identical reaction liquor and catalyst. The products were identified and quantified by GC-FID. Mild oxidative conditions generated more aldehydes, independently if it was under electrochemical conditions or not. To explore eventual mechanistic similarities, we investigated the catalyst by Raman spectroscopy and electronic microscopy. By them, a similar behavior was observed, the particles were less coalesced and the CuO-related bands were narrowed. After, by Mott-Schottky analysis, the oxygen vacancies were identified as the active sites. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/22183-6 - Electrocatalysis VI: fundamental and applied aspects of emerging and classical problems in electrochemical energy conversion
• Grantee: Edson Antonio Ticianelli
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/09630-3 - Electrocatalytic Reform of Lignin in Alkaline media: Study of Kinetics and Mechanisms for Enhanced Hydrogen Production
• Grantee: André Henrique Baraldi Dourado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program