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Title: Bifunctional Catalysts for Upgrading of Biomass-Derived Oxygenates: A Review

Journal Article · · ACS Catalysis
 [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado—Boulder, UCB 596, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
  2. National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Pikeway, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States

Deoxygenation is an important reaction in the conversion of biomass-derived oxygenates to fuels and chemicals. A key route for biomass refining involves the production of pyrolysis oil through rapid heating of the raw biomass feedstock. Pyrolysis oil as produced is highly oxygenated, so the feasibility of this approach depends in large part on the ability to selectively deoxygenate pyrolysis oil components to create a stream of high-value finished products. Identification of catalytic materials that are active and selective for deoxygenation of pyrolysis oil components has therefore represented a major research area. One catalyst is rarely capable of performing the different types of elementary reaction steps required to deoxygenate biomass-derived compounds. For this reason, considerable attention has been placed on bifunctional catalysts, where two different active materials are used to provide catalytic sites for diverse reaction steps. Here, we review recent trends in the development of catalysts, with a focus on catalysts for which a bifunctional effect has been proposed. We summarize recent studies of hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of pyrolysis oil and model compounds for a range of materials, including supported metal and bimetallic catalysts as well as transition-metal oxides, sulfides, carbides, nitrides, and phosphides. Particular emphasis is placed on how catalyst structure can be related to performance via molecular-level mechanisms. Finally, these studies demonstrate the importance of catalyst bifunctionality, with each class of materials requiring hydrogenation and C-O scission sites to perform HDO at reasonable rates.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08-GO28308; AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1326118
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1313615
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5100-67033
Journal Information:
ACS Catalysis, Journal Name: ACS Catalysis Vol. 6 Journal Issue: 8; ISSN 2155-5435
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 339 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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