Formation of High Added Value Chemicals by Photocatalytic Treatment of Biomass

Abstract

The depletion of fossil fuel requires the search for alternative renewable feedstock and environmentally friendly methods for the production of high value-added compounds and fuels. In this context, the efficient use of biomass has emerged as a significant research field as it represents an alternative green and renewable carbon source. Various technologies have been explored for this purpose and heterogeneous photocatalysis represents a valid alternative to the catalytic methods since it can be carried out under mild experimental conditions without the addition of harmful oxidizing agents. Different biomass components have been used as the starting materials, and many valuable chemicals have been obtained with different selectivity depending on some experimental conditions as, for instance, type of photocatalyst, solvent, and physico-chemical features of the catalysts. Moreover, by carrying out the reaction in de-aerated systems, in addition to high added value compounds, hydrogen can be obtained in the gaseous phase. In particular, photocatalytic conversion of lignocellulose, carbohydrates, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural and glycerol (considering only the partial oxidation products) is reported.