Single-atom catalysts for the upgrading of biomass-derived molecules: an overview of their preparation, properties and applications

^a Departamento de Química Inorgânica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista, Campus do Valonguinho, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
E-mail: tmlima@id.uff.br

^b Centre of Excellence for Research in Sustainable Chemistry, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
E-mail: mwpaixao@ufscar.br

^c Departamento de Química Orgânica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista, Campus do Valonguinho, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

^d Departamento de Engenharia Química e de Petróleo, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Passo da Pátria, 156, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

^e Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
E-mail: varma.rajender@epa.gov

Abstract

The development of more efficient and greener catalytic strategies for the upgrading of biomass to value-added chemicals is crucial to achieve a more sustainable future. In recent years, cutting-edge single-atom catalysts (SACs) and single-atom alloys (SAAs) have proved to be promising materials to overcome the issues associated with conventional catalytic approaches, and their use in biomass valorization has become a fast-growing field. An overview is provided for the preparation, characterization and catalytic evaluation of SACs and SAAs in biomass upgrading reactions. Herein, we start by discussing basic concepts in the field, proceed through the reactions for the valorization of lignocellulosics and glycerol, and finally provide a critical outlook on this timely topic.

This article is part of the themed collections: Green Chemistry Reviews and Green Chemistry Reviews

Green Chemistry