Transformation of tobacco biomass into value-added carbohydrate, aromatics, and biochar

Utilizing renewable and green biomass to supply energy and chemicals has emerged as a fascinating research field due to its great potential to solve the problems of fossil resource shortage and ecological deterioration throughout the world. However, to date it has been an open challenge to achieve efficient biomass utilization for ultimately replacing the petrochemical industry. We report here a general and efficient strategy for complete utilization of biomass. Such strategy is accomplished by combination of hydrothermal extraction based on microwave heating and natural seawater extraction and further pyrolysis of residual solid. Bifunctional natural seawater not only functions as a solvent for carbohydrate conversion but also provides chloride element for promotion of pyrolysis of lignin in residual solid into high-value-added petrochemicals. Such strategy can achieve full biomass utilization with extremely high carbohydrate conversion efficiency of 91.5% and preferred production of aromatics such as 37.5% benzenes and 36.4% phenols in all identified pyrolytic compounds. This may pay the way for replacing fossil resources with biomass.

Automated summary

Utilizing renewable and green biomass for energy and chemical supply is a promising solution to overcome fossil resource shortage and ecological deterioration. A combination strategy involving hydrothermal extraction, natural seawater extraction, and residual solid pyrolysis has been developed to achieve efficient and complete biomass utilization.