Open AccessConverting lignin into long‐chain fatty acids with the electro‐Fenton reaction
Author(s) -
Zhang Shuai,
Zhang Zhaokun,
Ge Mingyue,
Liu Bowen,
Chen Shulin,
Zhang Dongyuan,
Gao Le
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
gcb bioenergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.378
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1757-1707
pISSN - 1757-1693
DOI - 10.1111/gcbb.12859
Subject(s) - lignin , chemistry , biofuel , biomass (ecology) , lignocellulosic biomass , organic chemistry , pulp and paper industry , waste management , oceanography , geology , engineering
The lack of effective lignin valorization technology remains a major barrier to utilize lignocellulose for producing biofuels and biochemicals. In this work, a new technology via the three‐phase three‐dimensional electro‐Fenton reaction was employed for the first time to convert lignin or its derived aromatics. The operating parameters were optimized by central composite design, which was controlled to prompt the synthesis of long‐chain fatty acids from lignin instead of degrading lignin to CO 2 . Under the optimized condition, the yields of palmitic acid and octadecanoic acid from lignin reached 138.41 and 112.31 mg/g, respectively. Key intermediators were identified during the electrolysis of lignin model compound using gas chromatography–quantitative time of flight mass spectrometry. The mechanism for the production of long‐chain fatty acids from lignin was proposed. Lignin successively underwent degradation, opening ring, and couple reactions and produced free radicals. This study is the first to report the conversion of lignin into the precursor of biodiesel or advanced biofuels through electro‐Fenton electrolysis at room temperature and atmosphere pressure. This study provides an environment‐friendly route for direct conversion of lignin into high‐value added products as a new strategy to valorize this undervalued component in lignocellulosic biomass.