Advances in lignin valorization towards bio-based chemicals and fuels: Lignin biorefinery

Yang Cao; Season S Chen; Shicheng Zhang; Yong Sik Ok; Babasaheb M Matsagar; Kevin C-W Wu; Daniel C W Tsang

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121878

Advances in lignin valorization towards bio-based chemicals and fuels: Lignin biorefinery

Bioresour Technol. 2019 Nov:291:121878. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121878. Epub 2019 Jul 24.

Authors

Yang Cao¹, Season S Chen², Shicheng Zhang³, Yong Sik Ok⁴, Babasaheb M Matsagar⁵, Kevin C-W Wu⁵, Daniel C W Tsang⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
³ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
⁴ Korea Biochar Research Center & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
⁵ Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: dan.tsang@polyu.edu.hk.

PMID: 31377047
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121878

Abstract

Lignin is one of the most promising renewable sources for aromatic hydrocarbons, while effective depolymerization towards its constituent monomers is a particular challenge because of the structural complexity and stability. Intensive research efforts have been directed towards exploiting effective valorization of lignin for the production of bio-based platform chemicals and fuels. The present contribution aims to provide a critical review of key advances in the identification of exact lignin structure subjected to various fractionation technologies and demonstrate the key roles of lignin structures in depolymerization for unique functionalized products. Various technologies (e.g., thermocatalytic approaches, photocatalytic conversion, and mechanochemical depolymerization) are reviewed and evaluated in terms of feasibility and potential for further upgrading. Overall, advances in pristine lignin structure analysis and conversion technologies can facilitate recovery and subsequent utilization of lignin towards tailored commodity chemicals and fungible fuels.

Keywords: Bio-based chemicals; Circular bioeconomy; Sustainable development; Thermocatalytic depolymerization; Waste management/recycling; Waste to resources.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Lignin / chemistry*
Polymerization

Substances

Lignin