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Progress and Perspectives in Photo‐ and Electrochemical‐Oxidation of Biomass for Sustainable Chemicals and Hydrogen Production
Author(s) -
Luo Hui,
Barrio Jesús,
Sunny Nixon,
Li Alain,
Steier Ludmilla,
Shah Nilay,
Stephens Ifan E. L.,
Titirici MariaMagdalena
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.202101180
Subject(s) - biomass (ecology) , raw material , hydrogen production , materials science , renewable energy , energy carrier , catalysis , waste management , hydrogen , pulp and paper industry , environmental science , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering , oceanography , electrical engineering , geology
Biomass is recognized as an ideal CO 2 neutral, abundant, and renewable resource substitute to fossil fuels. The rich proton content in most biomass derived materials, such as ethanol, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and glycerol allows it to be an effective hydrogen carrier. The oxidation derivatives, such as 2,5‐difurandicarboxylic acid from HMF, glyceric acid from glycerol are valuable products to be used in biodegradable polymers and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, combining biomass‐derived compound oxidation at the anode and hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathode in a biomass electrolysis or photo‐reforming reactor would present a promising strategy for coproducing high value chemicals and hydrogen with low energy consumption and CO 2 emissions. This review aims to combine fundamental knowledge on photo and electro‐assisted catalysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of the general reaction mechanisms of different biomass‐derived molecule oxidation. At the same time, catalyst requirements and recent advances for various feedstock compounds are also reviewed in detail. Technoeconomic assessment and life cycle analysis are performed on various feedstocks to assess the relative benefits of various processes, and finally critical prospects are given on the challenges and opportunities for technology development to meet the sustainability requirement of the future global energy economy.