03-10-2024
We are excited to announce the publication of our latest research in the Chemical Engineering Journal (CEJ), with Boyana Atanasova as the first author. In here, we explore the structure-performance relationships of Pd and PdCu catalysts on γ-Al2O3, SiO2, and activated carbon (AC) in the mild reductive depolymerization (MRD) of Soda lignin.
Our study uncovers significant insights into the behaviour of Pd(Cu) supported catalysts in the MRD process, highlighting that Pd/AC and PdCu/AC achieve faster depolymerization compared to oxide-supported Pd(Cu) catalysts. We also shed light 💡 on the key role of hydrogenation in boosting monomer yields, with PdCu/SiO2 showing the lowest yield due to limited hydrogenation activity.
Key findings:
✅ Pd(Cu)/AC catalysts have the highest depolymerization activity due to unique surface properties
✅ Strong Pd-support interactions on γ-Al2O3 lead to smaller nanoparticles but slower depolymerization rates
✅ Co-impregnation of Cu significantly alters catalyst selectivity, especially on SiO2, limiting hydrogenation and enhancing hydrodeoxygenation reactions
The cleavage and modification pathways of the beta-O-4 linkage in a real Soda-lignin feedstock during MRD were also studied in the presence of each catalyst. In addition, parallel solvolytic and catalytic depolymerization was observed, possibly due to size-exclusion phenomena at shorter batch times. These discoveries bridge gaps in understanding the MRD process, providing a valuable foundation for future catalyst development and process optimization, aiming to make lignin valorization more efficient and sustainable. 🌿
âž¡ Take a look at 10.1016/j.cej.2024.155866