Issue 20, 2022

Recent developments in electrode materials for the selective upgrade of biomass-derived platform molecules into high-value-added chemicals and fuels

Abstract

As the “fourth-largest energy source” and the “only renewable organic carbon source”, biomass and its derived platform molecules (BDPMs) are widely used for selective upgrading to high-value-added chemicals and fuels, which can alleviate the energy crisis caused by the shortage of traditional fossil fuels. Electrocatalysis is emerging as a promising “biorefinery technology” for BDPM valorization, in which various high-value-added chemicals and fuels can be produced under green and mild conditions. However, the development of electrocatalytic upgrading of BDPMs is hugely lopsided due to a limited understanding of the reaction mechanisms. Herein, we comprehensively review the electrocatalytic upgrade of the top 14 BDPMs (classified into three main groups: alcohols, furans, and carboxylic acids) into high value-added chemicals and fuels, concentrating on the reaction pathways and the mechanisms. Thereafter, we emphasize the recent development of advanced electrode materials and focus on the principles for enhanced electrochemical activity and product selectivity. Afterward, a detailed analysis of advanced electrocatalyst synthesis and modification strategies is described to inspire more research attention and bring forward the practical application of the technique. Finally, we highlight the opportunities, identify the challenges, and propose perspectives for the future development of this flourishing field.

Graphical abstract: Recent developments in electrode materials for the selective upgrade of biomass-derived platform molecules into high-value-added chemicals and fuels

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
09 aug 2022
Accepted
08 sep 2022
First published
15 sep 2022

Green Chem., 2022,24, 7818-7868

Recent developments in electrode materials for the selective upgrade of biomass-derived platform molecules into high-value-added chemicals and fuels

Z. Fan, W. Zhang, L. Li, Y. Wang, Y. Zou, S. Wang and Z. Chen, Green Chem., 2022, 24, 7818 DOI: 10.1039/D2GC02956A

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