Issue 22, 2022

Electro-oxidative depolymerization of lignin for production of value-added chemicals

Abstract

Lignin is the most abundant aromatic polymer naturally produced in the world. Conversion of lignin by depolymerization to aromatic monomers has attracted more and more interest in recent years. The electro-oxidative depolymerization of lignin with renewable electricity pertains to be a versatile and sustainable method because it can be performed under relatively mild conditions and it is easy to control the reaction degree. In this work, we have reviewed recent research progress in the electro-oxidative depolymerization of lignin for value-added products, focusing on the catalysts, electrodes, processes, electrocatalytic systems and additives, as well as the challenges faced in potential application of the technologies. It is recommended that more efficient electrocatalysts should be developed with regards to activity, selectivity and stability for direct use in the electro-oxidative depolymerization of lignin. New technology with less pollution and high selectivity should be developed for efficient recovery and purification of target aromatic products from the mixture of various degradation products. Understanding of the mechanisms of lignin depolymerization by electro-oxidation should be deepened, which will guide the design of catalysts and processes for increasing the yield of the desired target product.

Graphical abstract: Electro-oxidative depolymerization of lignin for production of value-added chemicals

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
18 Jūl. 2022
Accepted
12 Sept. 2022
First published
14 Sept. 2022

Green Chem., 2022,24, 8585-8605

Electro-oxidative depolymerization of lignin for production of value-added chemicals

D. Gao, D. Ouyang and X. Zhao, Green Chem., 2022, 24, 8585 DOI: 10.1039/D2GC02660K

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements