Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Extraction of Lignin with High β-O-4 Content by Mild Ethanol Extraction and Its Effect on the Depolymerization Yield
Published on: January 7, 2019
Catalytic depolymerization of the hydrolyzed lignin over mesoporous catalysts.
Pengru Chen1, Qi Zhang2, Riyang Shu1
1Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
This study synthesized SBA-15 catalysts to prevent char formation during lignin depolymerization. Modified Ni/Al-SBA-15 catalysts in ethanol achieved high liquefaction and monomer yield, suppressing unwanted repolymerization.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Biomass Conversion
Background:
- Lignin depolymerization is crucial for biorefineries.
- Char formation hinders efficient lignin conversion.
- Mesoporous materials offer potential for catalytic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate SBA-15 based catalysts for lignin depolymerization.
- To investigate methods for suppressing char formation.
- To optimize depolymerization conditions for high monomer yield.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SBA-15, Al-SBA-15, and Ni/Al-SBA-15 catalysts.
- Investigation of temperature, time, and solvent effects.
- Lignin depolymerization experiments using synthesized catalysts.
Main Results:
- SBA-15 effectively suppressed repolymerization due to its structure.
- Al and Ni incorporation enhanced depolymerization and stabilized intermediates.
- Ethanol proved superior to other solvents in preventing repolymerization.
- Ni/Al-SBA-15(20) catalyst achieved 81.4% liquefaction and 21.90wt% monomer yield with no char.
Conclusions:
- Mesoporous SBA-15 catalysts are effective in mitigating char formation during lignin depolymerization.
- Modified catalysts (Al-SBA-15, Ni/Al-SBA-15) improve depolymerization efficiency.
- Optimized conditions using Ni/Al-SBA-15 in ethanol yield high-quality lignin monomers.
Related Concept Videos
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Catalysis
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...

