Modular Flow Reactors for Valorization of Kraft Lignin and Low-Voltage Hydrogen Production

Recent studies have found that green hydrogen production and biomass utilization technologies can be combined to efficiently produce both hydrogen and value-added chemicals using biomass as an electron and proton source. However, the majority of them have been limited to proof-of-concept demonstrations based on batch systems. Here the authors report the design of modular flow systems for the continuous depolymerization and valorization of lignin and low-voltage hydrogen production. A redox-active phosphomolybdic acid is used as a catalyst to depolymerize lignin with the production of aromatic compounds and extraction of electrons for hydrogen production. Individual processes for lignin depolymerization, byproduct separation, and hydrogen production with catalyst reactivation are modularized and integrated to perform the entire process in the serial flow. Consequently, this work enabled a one-flow process from biomass conversion to hydrogen gas generation under a cyclic loop. In addition, the unique advantages of the fluidic system (i.e., effective mass and heat transfer) substantially improved the yield and efficiency, leading to hydrogen production at a higher current density (20.5 mA cm^-2 ) at a lower voltage (1.5 V) without oxygen evolution. This sustainable eco-chemical platform envisages scalable co-production of valuable chemicals and green hydrogen for industrial purposes in an energy-saving and safe manner.