Application of biochar-based catalysts in biomass upgrading: a review

Cao, Xuefei; Sun, Shao‐Ni; Sun, Run‐Cang

doi:10.1039/c7ra09307a

Cited by 188 publications

(97 citation statements)

References 102 publications

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“…For instance, the presence of inorganics such as K and Fe in biochar contributes to its catalytic activity for tar cracking [12]. The surface functional groups of biochar could facilitate the adsorption of metal precursors, a necessary step for the synthesis of biochar-supported metal catalysts [9,13,14]. On the other hand, some characteristics of biochar, such as a low surface area and a poor porosity, hamper its catalytic application.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, various modification strategies were developed to endow biochar with specific properties. These strategies include selecting proper feedstock, controlling synthesis conditions, physical or chemical activation [10,13], surface functionalization [14,15], forming composites with other materials [16], etc. Comprehensive reviews on this topic can be found in References [15][16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Preparation and Application of Biochar-Based Catalysts for Biofuel Production

Cheng

2018

Catalysts

216

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Firstly, this paper reviews two main methods for biochar synthesis, namely conventional pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). The related processes are described, and the influences of biomass nature and reaction conditions, especially temperature, are discussed. Compared to pyrolysis, HTC has advantages for processing high-moisture biomass and producing spherical biochar particles. Secondly, typical features of biochar in comparison with other carbonaceous materials are summarized. They refer to the presence of inorganics, surface functional groups, and local crystalline structures made up of highly conjugated aromatic sheets. Thirdly, various strategies for biochar modification are illustrated. They include activation, surface functionalization, in situ heteroatom doping, and the formation of composites with other materials. An appropriate modification is necessary for biochar used as a catalyst. Fourthly, the applications of biochar-based catalysts in three important processes of biofuel production are reviewed. Sulfonated biochar shows good catalytic performance for biomass hydrolysis and biodiesel production. Biodiesel production can also be catalyzed by biochar-derived or -supported solid-alkali catalysts. Biochar alone and biochar-supported metals are potential catalysts for tar reduction during or after biomass gasification. Lastly, the merits of biochar-based catalysts are summarized. Biochar-based catalysts have great developmental prospects. Future work needs to focus on the study of mechanism and process design.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation and Application of Biochar-Based Catalysts for Biofuel Production

Cheng

2018

Catalysts

216

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“…Pyrolysis of biomass from waste streams has the potential of reducing fossil fuel usage due to the production of bio‐oil and syngas, and the capacity of mitigating global warming effects, since CO 2 is captured and stored as carbon in the form of biochar . The carbon‐rich solid produced by the pyrolysis of biomass under low oxygen concentrations and low temperatures defined as biochar has potential to be applied as a catalyst for reactions of CO 2 because it is porous and contains easily tuned surface functionality due to the presence of abundant functional groups . Treatment of biochar and carbon‐based materials with nitric acid (HNO 3 ) is known to greatly increase the content of oxygenated groups on their surface, introducing more hydroxyl and carboxyl groups.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[20] The carbon-rich solid produced by the pyrolysis of biomass under low oxygen concentrations and low temperatures defined as biochar has potential to be applied as a catalyst for reactions of CO 2 because it is porous and contains easily tuned surface functionality due to the presence of abundant functional groups. [21,22] Treatment of biochar and carbon-based materials with nitric acid (HNO 3 ) is known to greatly increase the content of oxygenated groups on their surface, [22][23][24][25] introducing more hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. These functional groups are important structural motifs in catalysts for the reaction chosen herein.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxidized Biochar as a Simple, Renewable Catalyst for the Production of Cyclic Carbonates from Carbon Dioxide and Epoxides

et al. 2019

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Hard‐ and softwood residues (from birch and pine respectively) of forestry, pulp, and paper industries (e. g. sawdust, branches) were used to prepare biochar, which was then oxidized using nitric acid to produce catalytic carboxylic acid functionalized biochar. This oxidized biochar, ox–bc, in the presence of a co‐catalyst, showed excellent catalytic activity towards the cycloaddition reaction between CO2 and epoxides using mild conditions (CO2 pressure, 10 bar). No differences in catalytic activity were seen between the two types of oxidized biochar despite the hardwood ox–bc having a significantly higher surface area. The catalysts function through activation of the epoxide reagent via hydrogen‐bonding with carboxylic acid groups on the surface. The number of surface acid groups was reduced by reaction with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and the resulting material was inactive in the reactions studied. The ox–bc catalysts are sustainable, economic, and renewable alternatives for currently used heterogeneous systems and are also the first carbon‐based materials derived from biomass to exhibit good recyclability (over five runs) with a broad substrate scope for the production of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2.

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“…The amorphous carbon obtained by incomplete carbonization of carbohydrate is a kind of soft carbon possessing polycyclic aromatic carbon sheets in a three-dimensional sp 3 -bonded structure [30,31]. After sulfonation, this amorphous carbon could generate a stable solid acid catalyst with abundant sulfonic sites, which has been reported to effectively catalyze the esterification of fatty acids to produce biodiesel [32][33][34]. So far, there has been no report about its utilization in esterification of LA to produce fuel additives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient Production of N-Butyl Levulinate Fuel Additive from Levulinic Acid Using Amorphous Carbon Enriched with Oxygenated Groups

Yang

Zhang

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The aim of this study was to develop an effective carbonaceous solid acid for synthesizing green fuel additive through esterification of lignocellulose-derived levulinic acid (LA) and n-butanol. Two different sulfonated carbons were prepared from glucose-derived amorphous carbon (GC400) and commercial active carbon (AC400). They were contrastively studied by a series of characterizations (N 2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and NH 3 temperature programmed desorption). The results indicated that GC400 possessed stronger acidity and higher -SO 3 H density than AC400, and the amorphous structure qualified GC400 for good swelling capacity in the reaction solution. Assessment experiments showed that GC400 displayed remarkably higher catalytic efficiency than AC400 and other typical solid acids (HZSM-5, Hβ, Amberlyst-15 and Nafion-212 resin). Up to 90.5% conversion of LA and 100% selectivity of n-butyl levulinate could be obtained on GC400 under the optimal reaction conditions. The sulfonated carbon retained 92% of its original catalytic activity even after five cycles.

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Application of biochar-based catalysts in biomass upgrading: a review

Abstract: The application of biochars as versatile catalysts and/or catalyst supports for biomass upgrading is systematically overviewed.

Cited by 188 publications

References 102 publications

Preparation and Application of Biochar-Based Catalysts for Biofuel Production

Preparation and Application of Biochar-Based Catalysts for Biofuel Production

Oxidized Biochar as a Simple, Renewable Catalyst for the Production of Cyclic Carbonates from Carbon Dioxide and Epoxides

Efficient Production of N-Butyl Levulinate Fuel Additive from Levulinic Acid Using Amorphous Carbon Enriched with Oxygenated Groups

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