Exploiting the photocatalytic activity of TiO towards the depolymerization of Kraft lignin

Lignin is a promising renewable source of aromatic chemicals. Described herein is a new photocatalytic methodology for depolymerization of oxidized Kraft lignin to industrially relevant aromatic platform chemicals. The photooxidation route begins with oxidation of alcohol moieties using a gold nanop...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:New journal of chemistry 2021-08, Vol.45 (34), p.15371-15377
Main Authors: Crites, Charles-Oneil L, Gomes de Mendonça, Fernanda, Netto-Ferreira, José Carlos, Baker, R. Tom, Hallett-Tapley, Geniece L, Tremblay, Luc
Format: Article
Language:
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Lignin is a promising renewable source of aromatic chemicals. Described herein is a new photocatalytic methodology for depolymerization of oxidized Kraft lignin to industrially relevant aromatic platform chemicals. The photooxidation route begins with oxidation of alcohol moieties using a gold nanoparticle/hydrotalcite composite. Next, the oxidized lignin is subjected to UVA irradiation in the presence of TiO 2 , leading to a 3-fold decrease of its molecular weight and to the formation of various monolignols. The products obtained in both steps were characterized using FTIR, SEC, GC-MS, and 2D NMR spectroscopy, which confirm the depolymerization of lignin to smaller molecular weight products. This method offers both energetic and chemical advantages over thermochemical processing for lignin valorisation. Lignin is a promising renewable source of aromatic chemicals.
ISSN:1144-0546
1369-9261
DOI:10.1039/d1nj03043d