Issue 77, 2017

Application of biochar-based catalysts in biomass upgrading: a review

Abstract

Biochar is a low-cost carbon-rich material derived from the thermochemical degradation of biomass. Due to its unique chemical structure, biochar with a large surface area and tailored surface functional groups can be easily prepared by activation and/or functionalization, and shows great potential to be used as a versatile catalyst and/or catalyst support in many chemical processes. However, the application of biochars as versatile catalysts and/or catalyst supports for biomass upgrading has not been systematically overviewed so far. In this work, the formation of pyrochar and hydrochar is proposed, and the activation and/or functionalization of biochar are also included. Subsequently, the application of biochar-based catalysts in biomass upgrading, including biochar-based solid acids for biomass hydrolysis and dehydration, biochar-based catalysts for biodiesel production, and biochars as catalyst supports for biomass pyrolysis, gasification, and bio-oil upgrading, are discussed in detail.

Graphical abstract: Application of biochar-based catalysts in biomass upgrading: a review

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
22 Aug. 2017
Accepted
12 Okt. 2017
First published
16 Okt. 2017
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2017,7, 48793-48805

Application of biochar-based catalysts in biomass upgrading: a review

X. Cao, S. Sun and R. Sun, RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 48793 DOI: 10.1039/C7RA09307A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements