The catalytic conversion of lignin fragments composed of one or two phenyls, such as guaiacol, eugenol, vanillin, and benzyl phenyl ether, into the saturated deoxygenated hydrocarbon fuels or chemicals was studied using bifunctional catalysts composed of transition/precious metal nanoparticles and acidic supports including mesoporous aerogels. While the hydrodeoxygenation of lignin monomer produced hydrocarbon fuels, the strategy of isomerization of lignin dimers followed by hydrodeoxygenation successfully produced the high carbon-number hydrocarbon fuels. The reaction pathways on the solid-acid-supported metal catalysts were studied to understand the roles of catalyst components and improve the catalyst design, which revealed the synergic effects of metal and acid catalysts. The effects of water on the reaction pathway were also studied in order to develop the selective reactions, which simulated the water-containing processes of biomass-to-fuel. The understanding of catalysts and their activity was supported by characterization methods, such as TEM, NH3-TPD, CO-chemisorption, XRD, and XPS.

Catalytic conversion of lignin fragments to fuels and chemicals on the bifunctional catalysts

245th National Meeting (2013)

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