Light-driven lignocellulosic biomass conversion for production of energy and chemicals

• Published in: iScience Vol. 25; no. 10; p. 105221
• Main Authors: Ouyang, Denghao, Wang, Fangqian, Gao, Daihong, Han, Wenquan, Hu, Xu, Qiao, Dawei, Zhao, Xuebing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 21.10.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biomass; Biotechnology; Catalysis; Chemistry; Green chemistry; Review; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Green chemistry; Catalysis; Biomass
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105221

The depletion of fossil fuels and the increasingly severe environmental pollution caused by massive fossil fuel consumption has driven the quick development of emerging renewable energy technologies. As the most extensive renewable carbon resource, lignocellulose is the potential substitute of fossil resources because of its sustainability and carbon-neutral features. Efficient lignocellulose conversion based on photocatalysis is a promising topic because of sustainable solar energy and the mild condition. This review highlights state-of-the-art photocatalytic technologies for lignocellulosic biomass conversion, focusing on the electricity generation, hydrogen production, and high-value-added biomass derivatives production. Moreover, the progress, challenge, and perspectives of related photocatalytic technologies are specifically discussed. It is recommended that developing more robust and efficient photocatalysts suitable for the complex structure of lignocellulose is necessary to promote the oxidation the biomass. Design and development of novel photochemical reactors and photoelectrochemical cells are also important for demonstration of light-driven lignocellulose conversion at larger scale. [Display omitted] •Electricity generation by light-driven oxidation of lignocellulose•Photocatalytic oxidation of lignocellulosic biomass for chemicals•Light-driven transfer of biomass electrons for production of hydrogen•Coupling biomass oxidation by photocatalysis and reduction of CO2 Chemistry; Catalysis; Green chemistry; Biotechnology; Biomass