ChemEngineering 2017, 1(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering1020017
Oxidative Depolymerization of Lignin Using Supported Niobium Catalysts
1
Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Campus Box 7625, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7625, USA
2
Department of Statistics, Campus Box 8203, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8203, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 18 October 2017 / Revised: 17 November 2017 / Accepted: 20 November 2017 / Published: 29 November 2017
Abstract
Valorization of lignin into aromatics has driven researchers for decades. In this research, niobium was deposited on oyster shells (OSNC) and carbon rods (CRNC) and tested as a catalyst for depolymerization of lignin. Catalysts (2%, 5%, and 8% loading) were synthesized via wet impregnation. Batch experiments were performed at 95 °C, using 8 g of lignin, and 1 g of catalyst. Our research indicates that niobium supported catalysts are effective in partial oxidation of lignin. Maximum vanillin concentration for OSNC was found to be 86.25 mg L−1 (0.1 wt%) at 5% niobium whereas, as for CRNC, maximum vanillin concentration was found to be 139.40 mg L−1 (0.17 wt%) at 2% niobium loading. Addition of hydrogen peroxide into the batch reactor decreased the concentration of vanillin production. View Full-TextKeywords:
lignin; catalytic oxidation; niobium; carbon rod; oyster shell
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Das, L.; Kolar, P.; Sharma-Shivappa, R.; Classen, J.J.; Osborne, J.A. Oxidative Depolymerization of Lignin Using Supported Niobium Catalysts. ChemEngineering 2017, 1, 17.
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ChemEngineering
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