Photocatalytic Valorization of Lignin towards Value-Added End Products

The selective transformation of lignin, which is the largest source of renewable aromatics, into value-added end products is of great importance in the pursuit of a sustainable future. Photocatalysis that can perform under mild reaction conditions has emerged as an effective strategy for the valorization of lignin and has attracted much recent research interest.
The project aims to develop a performant system with concrete potential for lignin valorization. Two successive processes will be pursued, which are depolymerization of lignin by concurrent cleavage of C−O and C−C bonds and upgrading of aromatic monomers from lignin depolymerization to biopolymers, both under the action of light. This project offers interdisciplinary research in bringing various research disciplines together including biorefinery, heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, material science (CdS-based multifunctional catalysts and semiconductors with tunable redox potentials), chemical engineering (design of prototype flow reactor), and bioplastics (upgrading to produce biopolymer).
The results from the present research proposal can provide guides for the rational design of active and selective photocatalysts in biomass valorization and inspire future studies on photocatalytic systems for sustainable chemistry.