Power-to-chemicals: Low-temperature plasma for lignin depolymerisation in ethanol

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Zhou, Rusen
Zhou, Renwu
Wang, Sen
Ekanayake, UG Mihiri
Fang, Zhi
Cullen, Patrick J
Bazaka, Kateryna
Ostrikov, Kostya Ken
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2020
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Abstract

Lignin valorisation into renewable fuels and platform chemicals is desirable but still encounters major challenges due to lignin’s recalcitrant structure, and the lack of cost-, energy-, and material efficient conversion processes. Herein, we report a low-temperature plasma-based route to lignin depolymerisation at mild conditions. The discharge over ethanol surface locally creating a high-energy and reactive environment rich in free electrons, energetic H radicals, and other reactive species, is well suited for lignin depolymerisation. Furthermore, assisted with a Fenton reaction (by adding Fe2O3 and H2O2) to sustain a more oxidative environment, the lignin conversion yield increases from 42.6% to 66.0%. Thus-obtained renewable chemicals are rich in aromatics and dicarboxylic acid derivatives. The proposed strategy on intensifying reactive chemistry by high-power plasmas enables an effective power-to-chemicals conversion of lignin and may provide useful guidelines for modern biorefineries.

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Bioresource Technology

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318

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Nanotechnology

Science & Technology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Agricultural Engineering

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

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Zhou, R; Zhou, R; Wang, S; Ekanayake, UGM; Fang, Z; Cullen, PJ; Bazaka, K; Ostrikov, KK, Power-to-chemicals: Low-temperature plasma for lignin depolymerisation in ethanol, Bioresource Technology, 2020, 318, pp. 123917

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