Graphene oxide applications in biorefinery catalysis to chemical commodities: critical review, prospects and challenges

Graphene oxide (GO) is a carbon allotrope with favourable characteristics for a number of applications, in particular for electronic devices. While already commercially exploited for those, their utilisation as carbocatalysts or catalyst supports is still an active research area, with some reports now emerging for biorefinery-related conversions. The unique and tuneable nature of GO-based materials presents a tremendous opportunity to devise catalysts capable of efficiently converting highly oxidised biomass-derived compounds under processing conditions that are inherently different from those used in petrochemical processing. Tremendous potential exists for value creation from agricultural products, supporting many nations' bioeconomy and circularity strategies. In order to progress the development of these highly promising materials in biorefinery-related applications, the current state of the art is critically discussed and future research avenues are identified. Current shortcomings for industrial implementation include the lack of understanding of structure-property relationships hampering knowledge-based design; concise and reported material purity protocols and broad systematic studies; studies on the transfer to continuous processing, including detailed recycling and regeneration studies; as well as efficient, reproducible and environmentally benign material production strategies.

Automated summary

Graphene oxide (GO) has favorable characteristics for a number of applications, particularly in electronic devices. Utilizing GO as carbocatalysts or catalyst supports is an active research area, with emerging reports for biorefinery-related conversions. The unique and tuneable nature of GO-based materials presents a tremendous opportunity for efficient biomass conversion and value creation.