Advances in Catalysis for Fuel and Chemical Production from Biomass Feedstocks

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomass Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2022) | Viewed by 22077

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Rotterdam Mainport Institute, Rotterdam University of Applied Science, Lloydstraat 300, 3024 EA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: catalysis; renewable chemistry; biomass; methane conversion; carbohydrates; SCR catalysis; redox flow batteries
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Guest Editor
School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV47AL, UK
Interests: mesoporous materials; in-situ characterisation; biomass conversion; biomaterials; renewables
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The production of chemicals and fuels from biomass is seen as the holy grail for abandoning fossil feedstocks and building a society based on renewable resources. Catalysis plays a key role in converting biomass into high value chemicals and fuels. Large efforts have been taken in the conversion of various biomass streams. A main topic is the conversion of (hemi-)cellulose and lignin and carbohydrates obtained from waste streams to certain platform molecules. One such example of well-studied platform molecules is the production of 5-HMF from cellulosic biomass and carbohydrates. Methods for the further conversion of platform molecules into chemical end-products such as fine chemicals or fuels are also important.

To be able to develop new materials for the chemo-, electro-, and photo-catalytic transition of biomass into fuels and chemicals, the development of novel materials is essential. Often, these catalysts are based on metals, metal oxides, or porous materials such as zeolites, or a combination thereof. In order to amke such materials with desired catalytic active sites, an understanding of the reaction mechanisms and structure relationships at a molecular level of catalysts is essential. Catalytic testing should not limit the conversion of feedstocks. Studies investigating catalytic systems converting real biomass streams into chemical products are of high value, as well the influence of biomass pretreatment methods on the final catalytic performance.

This Special Issue, titled “Advances in Catalysis for Fuel and Chemical Production from Biomass Feedstocks”, focusses on new insights and developments in the field catalytic systems for biomass conversion into chemicals and fuels. This can range from a fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism and catalytic material development, to new procedures for biomass pretreatment and post-catalysis chemistry in order to reach final chemical end-products.

Dr. Volkan Degirmenci
Dr. Christiaan Tempelman
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Biomass conversion, 5-HMF, platform chemicals, lignin, glucose conversion, fructose conversion, and biomass derived chemicals
  • Heterogeneous, homogeneous, and biocatalysis for biomass utilization
  • Chemo-, electro-, and photo-catalysis for the conversion of biomass-derived chemicals
  • Catalytic material development
  • Catalyst characterization
  • Theoretical studies on biomass reaction mechanisms
  • Conversion of 5-HMF into useful plastics, intermediates, and chemicals
  • Biomass pretreatment
  • Novel biomass feedstocks
  • Novel catalytic reactors for biomass conversion

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3330 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Surface Characteristics of Biochar and Its Catalytic Activity for the Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol
by Indri Badria Adilina, Robert Ronal Widjaya, Luthfiana Nurul Hidayati, Edi Supriadi, Muhammad Safaat, Ferensa Oemry, Elvi Restiawaty, Yazid Bindar and Stewart F. Parker
Catalysts 2021, 11(12), 1434; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal11121434 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2267
Abstract
Biochar (BCR) was obtained from the pyrolysis of a palm-oil-empty fruit bunch at 773 K for 2 h and used as a catalyst for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of guaiacol (GUA) as a bio-oil model compound. Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area analysis, NH3 and CO [...] Read more.
Biochar (BCR) was obtained from the pyrolysis of a palm-oil-empty fruit bunch at 773 K for 2 h and used as a catalyst for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of guaiacol (GUA) as a bio-oil model compound. Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area analysis, NH3 and CO2-temperature-programmed desorption, scanning electron microscope–dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, CHN analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy suggested that macroporous and mesoporous structures were formed in BCR with a co-presence of hydrophilic and hydrophobic sites and acid–base behavior. A combination of infrared, Raman and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) was carried out to achieve a complete vibrational assignment of BCR. The CH–OH ratio in BCR is ~5, showing that the hydroxyl functional groups are a minority species. There was no evidence for any aromatic C–H stretch modes in the infrared, but they are clearly seen in the INS and are the majority species, with a ratio of sp3–CH:sp2–CH of 1:1.3. The hydrogen bound to sp2–C is largely present as isolated C–H bonds, rather than adjacent C–H bonds. The Raman spectrum shows the characteristic G band (ideal graphitic lattice) and three D bands (disordered graphitic lattice, amorphous carbon, and defective graphitic lattice) of sp2 carbons. Adsorbed water in BCR is present as disordered layers on the surface rather than trapped in voids in the material and could be removed easily by drying prior to catalysis. Catalytic testing demonstrated that BCR was able to catalyze the HDO of GUA, yielding phenol and cresols as the major products. Phenol was produced both from the direct demethoxylation of GUA, as well as through the demethylation pathway via the formation of catechol as the intermediate followed by deoxygenation. Full article
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17 pages, 3503 KiB  
Article
n-Butene Synthesis in the Dimethyl Ether-to-Olefin Reaction over Zeolites
by Toshiaki Hanaoka, Masaru Aoyagi and Yusuke Edashige
Catalysts 2021, 11(6), 743; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal11060743 - 17 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2190
Abstract
Zeolite catalysts that could allow the efficient synthesis of n-butene, such as 1-butene, trans-2-butene, and cis-2-butene, in the dimethyl ether (DME)-to-olefin (DTO) reaction were investigated using a fixed-bed flow reactor. The zeolites were characterized by N2 adsorption and desorption, [...] Read more.
Zeolite catalysts that could allow the efficient synthesis of n-butene, such as 1-butene, trans-2-butene, and cis-2-butene, in the dimethyl ether (DME)-to-olefin (DTO) reaction were investigated using a fixed-bed flow reactor. The zeolites were characterized by N2 adsorption and desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD). A screening of ten available zeolites indicated that the ferrierite zeolite with NH4+ as the cation showed the highest n-butene yield. The effect of the temperature of calcination as a pretreatment method on the catalytic performance was studied using three zeolites with suitable topologies. The calcination temperature significantly affected DME conversion and n-butene yield. The ferrierite zeolite showed the highest n-butene yield at a calcination temperature of 773 K. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the correlation between the six values obtained using N2 adsorption/desorption and NH3-TPD analyses, and the n-butene yield. The contribution rate of the strong acid site alone as an explanatory variable was 69.9%; however, the addition of micropore volume was statistically appropriate, leading to an increase in the contribution rate to 76.1%. Insights into the mechanism of n-butene synthesis in the DTO reaction were obtained using these parameters. Full article
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Review

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30 pages, 1947 KiB  
Review
The Catalysed Transformation of Vegetable Oils or Animal Fats to Biofuels and Bio-Lubricants: A Review
by Martin Hájek, Aleš Vávra, Héctor de Paz Carmona and Jaroslav Kocík
Catalysts 2021, 11(9), 1118; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal11091118 - 17 Sep 2021
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 6491
Abstract
This review paper summarizes the current state-of-the-art of the chemical transformation of oils/fats (i.e., triacylglycerols) to the use of biofuels or bio-lubricants in the means of transport, which is a novelty. The chemical transformation is necessary to obtain products that are more usable [...] Read more.
This review paper summarizes the current state-of-the-art of the chemical transformation of oils/fats (i.e., triacylglycerols) to the use of biofuels or bio-lubricants in the means of transport, which is a novelty. The chemical transformation is necessary to obtain products that are more usable with properties corresponding to fuels synthesized from crude oil. Two types of fuels are described—biodiesel (the mixture of methyl esters produced by transesterification) and green diesel (paraffins produced by hydrogenation of oils). Moreover, three bio-lubricant synthesis methods are described. The transformation, which is usually catalysed, depends on: (i) the type and composition of the raw material, including alcohols for biodiesel production and hydrogen for green diesel; (ii) the type of the catalyst in the case of catalysed reactions; (iii) the reaction conditions; and (iv) types of final products. The most important catalysts, especially heterogeneous and including reaction conditions, for each product are described. The properties of biodiesel and green diesel and a comparison with diesel from crude oil are also discussed. Full article
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16 pages, 1549 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid
by Hanyu Cong, Haibo Yuan, Zekun Tao, Hanlin Bao, Zheming Zhang, Yi Jiang, Di Huang, Hongling Liu and Tengfei Wang
Catalysts 2021, 11(9), 1113; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal11091113 - 16 Sep 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5048
Abstract
Converting biomass into high value-added compounds has attracted great attention for solving fossil fuel consumption and global warming. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been considered as a versatile biomass-derived building block that can be used to synthesize a variety of sustainable fuels and chemicals. Among [...] Read more.
Converting biomass into high value-added compounds has attracted great attention for solving fossil fuel consumption and global warming. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been considered as a versatile biomass-derived building block that can be used to synthesize a variety of sustainable fuels and chemicals. Among these derivatives, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a desirable alternative to petroleum-derived terephthalic acid for the synthesis of biodegradable polyesters. Herein, to fully understand the current development of the catalytic conversion of biomass to FDCA, a comprehensive review of the catalytic conversion of cellulose biomass to HMF and the oxidation of HMF to FDCA is presented. Moreover, future research directions and general trends of using biomass for FDCA production are also proposed. Full article
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21 pages, 3153 KiB  
Review
Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Conversion of Glucose into 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural
by Christiaan H. L. Tempelman, Ryan Oozeerally and Volkan Degirmenci
Catalysts 2021, 11(7), 861; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/catal11070861 - 19 Jul 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4796
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass, a cheap and plentiful resource, could play a key role in the production of sustainable chemicals. The simple sugars contained in the renewable lignocellulosic biomass can be converted into commercially valuable products such as 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF). A platform molecule, HMF [...] Read more.
Lignocellulosic biomass, a cheap and plentiful resource, could play a key role in the production of sustainable chemicals. The simple sugars contained in the renewable lignocellulosic biomass can be converted into commercially valuable products such as 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF). A platform molecule, HMF can be transformed into numerous chemical products with potential applications in a wide variety of industries. Of the hexoses contained in the lignocellulosic biomass, the successful production of HMF from glucose has been a challenge. Various heterogeneous catalysts have been proposed over the last decade, ranging from zeolites to metal organic frameworks. The reaction conditions vary in the reports in the literature, which makes it difficult to compare catalysts reported in different studies. In addition, the slight variations in the synthesis of the same material in different laboratories may affect the activity results, because the selectivity towards desired products in this transformation strongly depends on the nature of the active sites. This poses another difficulty for the comparison of different reports. Furthermore, over the last decade the new catalytic systems proposed have increased profoundly. In this article, we summarize the heterogeneous catalysts: Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), zeolites and conventional supported catalysts, that have been reported in the recent literature and provide an overview of the observed catalytic activity, in order to provide a comparison. Full article
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