Advances in Versatile Nanoscale Catalyst for the Reductive Catalytic Fractionation of Lignin

In the past five years, biomass-derived biofuels and biochemicals were widely studied both in academia and industry as promising alternatives to petroleum. In this Review, the latest progress of the synthesis and fabrication of porous nanocatalysts that are used in catalytic transformations involving hydrogenolysis of lignin is reviewed in terms of their textural properties, catalytic activities, and stabilities. A particular emphasis is made with regard to the catalyst design for the hydrogenolysis of lignin and/or lignin model compounds. Furthermore, the effects of different supports on the lignin hydrogenolysis/hydrogenation are discussed in detail. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities of lignin hydrogenolysis over nanomaterial-supported catalysts are also presented.

Automated summary

This review discusses the latest advances in biomass-derived biofuels and biochemicals as alternatives to petroleum, focusing on the synthesis and fabrication of porous nanocatalysts for hydrogenolysis of lignin. The emphasis is on catalyst design, the effects of different supports, and the challenges and opportunities for lignin hydrogenolysis over nanomaterial-supported catalysts.