In our efforts to shift away from conventional petroleum-based feedstock to supply transportation fuels, plant biomass has emerged as an attractive renewable alternative. Two major challenges in processing biomass are: (1) its complex chemical make-up, causing side reactions and products; and (2) its solubility, causing difficulty in its processing. These challenges slow down the progress and rapid commercialization of bio-based products. Thus, there remains an unmet need for an efficient and economical method to transform biomass into advanced fuels, chemicals, and materials. When we talk about renewable products from plant biomass, many people think about bioethanol. In this talk, we will show our catalytic strategies to transform biomass into renewable chemicals and materials beyond bioethanol. We will discuss the role of solvents in conversion of biomass and the relationship between catalyst composition and structure on its performance.  Specific examples will be presented highlighting the role of solvents in biomass conversion pathways, development of catalytic conversion systems, and downstream production of advanced fuels and materials.<br/>

Renewable fuels and materials from plant biomass: Are we there yet?

255th National Meeting (2018)

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