Design of solid catalysts for the conversion of biomass

The discovery and investigation of novel and efficient pathways for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals are among the big challenges facing heterogeneous catalysis nowadays. However, not all experience gained in the transformation of hydrocarbons over the last 100 years can directly b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEnergy & environmental science Vol. 2; no. 6; pp. 610 - 626
Main Authors Rinaldi, Roberto, Schuth, Ferdi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.01.2009
Subjects
Biomass
Biomolecules
Catalysis
Catalysts
Conversion
Hydrocarbons
Pathways
Transformations
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Summary:The discovery and investigation of novel and efficient pathways for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals are among the big challenges facing heterogeneous catalysis nowadays. However, not all experience gained in the transformation of hydrocarbons over the last 100 years can directly be transferred to biomass conversion. In this article, we will discuss how the specific properties of biomass pose new requirements on the processes and on the solids that are used as catalysts for their conversion. Due to the importance of lignocellulosic materials, which constitute ca. 95% of the total plant biomass, we will focus mostly on the desired properties of solid catalysts for the conversion of these polymeric biomolecules. Research in this field is very intense presently and novel transformations and catalysts are being discovered at a high rate. This paper thus focuses on the concepts that govern biomass transformation instead of giving a complete and comprehensive survey of the literature, which would be outdated within a short time.
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ISSN:1754-5692
1754-5706
DOI:10.1039/B902668A