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Catalytic Valorization and Utilization of Biomass and Biomass Derivatives

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A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomass Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 5801

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Linyu Jiao

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Guest Editor

School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
Interests: heterogeneous catalysis; photocatalysis; piezoelectric catalysis; green transformation; biomass valorization

Dr. Bin Tian

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Guest Editor

School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
Interests: catalytic cracking; AAEMs catalysis; biomass pyrolysis/gasification; lignin separation; co-processing of biomass and coal

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomass and its derivatives are abundant, renewable, and carbon-neutral resources that have attracted increasing attention as sustainable alternatives to fossil-based feedstocks. Catalytic conversion of biomass can lead to the production of platform chemicals, key intermediates for the synthesis of a wide range of bulk and fine chemicals, as well as value-added fuels and functional materials. These transformations are essential to addressing the growing environmental and energy challenges of the 21st century.

Despite considerable progress in the field, challenges remain in controlling product selectivity, improving catalyst stability, and enhancing the conversion efficiency of complex and heterogeneous biomass feedstocks. In particular, the development of robust catalytic systems for biomass pyrolysis, gasification, and liquid-phase upgrading continues to be a critical research focus.

This Special Issue of Catalysts will highlight recent advances in the catalytic transformation, upgrading, and valorization of biomass and biomass-derived molecules. We invite original research articles and reviews that explore innovative catalytic materials, mechanistic insights, and practical applications in the fields of sustainable energy, environmental remediation, and green chemistry. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Heterogeneous, homogeneous, and biocatalytic processes for biomass upgrading;
Selective catalytic conversion of platform molecules;
Photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and thermocatalytic valorization of biomass;
Catalyst design for biomass pyrolysis and gasification;
Reaction mechanisms and structure–activity relationships in biomass catalysis;
Catalyst stability, recyclability, and deactivation pathways.

If you would like to submit papers for publication in this Special Issue or have any questions, please contact the in-house Editor, Ms. Georgie Guan (georgie.guan@mdpi.com).

Prof. Dr. Linyu Jiao
Dr. Bin Tian
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

biomass valorization
utilization
catalytic conversion
platform chemical
pyrolysis, gasification
high-value product

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 6769 KB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Lignin-Based Catalysts’ Effectiveness and Constraints in Selective Hydrogenation

by Mahendra Kothottil Mohan, Nadiia Shevchenko, Louiza Aïchaoui, Renan de Melo Correia Lima, Denys Bondar, Boudjema Hamada and Yevgen Karpichev

Catalysts 2026, 16(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16020173 - 6 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1164

Abstract

Lignin’s complex structure makes it a valuable resource for producing aromatic chemicals, but selectively converting it into specific products remains challenging. This study explores the use of technical hydrolysis lignin as a renewable support for palladium (Pd) and copper (Cu) catalysts in hydrogenation reactions. The materials were characterized using NMR, FTIR, XRF, AAS, XPS, and TEM. The reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline was tested with various Pd/Cu catalysts with different metal contents. The hydrogenation results showed that the Pd-only catalyst (catalyst-1) performed best on most substrates. In contrast, catalysts with only Cu or with Pd-Cu bimetallic showed no catalytic activity. The study discusses the effects of Pd incorporation and the Pd-Cu synergistic effect on catalyst stability, highlighting potential limitations in active-site stability and suggesting ways to enhance catalyst longevity. Overall, this research reveals that lignin is a promising, renewable support for catalysts, offering alternatives to traditional supports. These findings provide valuable insights into improving lignin modification and developing eco-friendly catalytic processes aligned with green chemistry principles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Valorization and Utilization of Biomass and Biomass Derivatives)

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16 pages, 3098 KB

Open AccessArticle

Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Bis(hydroxymethyl)furan Using CuIr Bimetallic Nanowires

by Chen Chen, Chenhao Yang, Hongke Li, Yiran Liu, Yao Chen and Yunlei Zhang

Catalysts 2026, 16(2), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16020116 - 25 Jan 2026

Viewed by 852

Abstract

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) represents an environmentally friendly pathway for converting 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into the high-value chemical 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF). However, its selectivity and Faradaic efficiency are often constrained by competitive hydrogen evolution at the cathode and insufficient supply of active hydrogen at the surface. To address this challenge, this study developed an Ir-decorated copper oxide nanowire catalyst (denoted as CuIr) featuring a hydrogen-rich adsorption (H_ads) surface. The incorporation of Ir significantly enhances the catalyst’s water dissociation capacity, creating abundant H_ads sources that selectively accelerate HMF hydrogenation while suppressing side reactions. Under a mild applied potential of −0.45 V vs. RHE and a current density of approximately −20 mA cm⁻², the optimal CuIr₄₀ catalyst achieved near-complete conversion of HMF (99%), a BHMF yield of 99%, and a high Faradaic efficiency of 97% within 120 min of electrolysis. Mechanistic studies reveal that this catalytic leap stems from the synergistic functional interaction between Cu and Ir sites in substrate activation and hydrogen supply. This work presents a novel strategy for designing efficient electrocatalysts for biomass hydrogenation by regulating surface H_ads concentration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Valorization and Utilization of Biomass and Biomass Derivatives)

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15 pages, 6356 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hexagonal Microsphere/Cubic Particle ZnIn₂S₄ Heterojunctions: A Robust Photocatalyst for Visible-Light-Driven Conversion of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Diformylfuran Under Ambient Air Conditions

by Lin-Yu Jiao, Ze-Long Sun, Wen-Yu Luo, Fei Wen, Jun-Bo Ye, Kang-Lai Chen, Long Xu, Bin Tian and Shan-Shan Liu

Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010069 - 7 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 754

Abstract

In recent years, biomass utilization has attracted extensive attention. Herein, hexagonal/cubic ZnIn₂S₄ (ZIS) heterojunction catalysts were synthesized via a solvothermal method for the selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF). The results demonstrated that the constructed heterojunctions effectively promoted carrier separation. The optimal catalyst achieved an HMF conversion rate of 88.8% and a DFF yield of 86.6% within 1 h in the open air. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations confirmed the successful fabrication of the composite phase structure and revealed a porous spherical morphology. Equivalent circuit fitting of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data indicated that the hexagonal/cubic heterojunctions possessed the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct = 5825 Ω), which effectively reduced interfacial charge transfer resistance and accelerated the transport of photoinduced carriers. Radical quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy identified superoxide radicals (·O₂⁻) as the primary reactive species. Meanwhile, density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidated the formation of the built-in electric field and the charge transfer mechanism. This work’s construction of Type-II ZIS heterojunctions effectively addressed the issue of rapid carrier recombination in pristine ZIS materials, providing a feasible strategy for biomass valorization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Valorization and Utilization of Biomass and Biomass Derivatives)

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19 pages, 2245 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of the Acid Value Reduction in High Free Fatty Acid Crude Palm Oil via Esterification with Different Grades of Ethanol for Batch and Circulation Processes

by Jarernporn Thawornprasert, Kritsakon Pongraktham, Thanansak Theppaya and Krit Somnuk

Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010050 - 2 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1549

Abstract

This research focuses on the acid value reduction in crude palm oil (CPO) achieved through an esterification process with different types of ethanol in batch and circulation processes. The esterification process was optimized by varying three independent variables, the ethanol content, sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) concentration, and reaction time, using a response surface methodology to determine the optimal conditions for the acid value reduction in the esterified oil. Three grades of ethanol—95% hydrous ethanol, 99% anhydrous ethanol, and 99% analytical reagent (AR) ethanol—were used to study the batch esterification process. The optimal conditions for hydrous ethanol were 82.7 vol.% ethanol content, 10.6 vol.% H₂SO₄ concentration, and 25.4 min reaction time; for anhydrous ethanol, the optimal conditions were 78.1 vol.% ethanol content, 10.2 vol.% H₂SO₄ concentration, and 26.3 min reaction time; for AR-grade ethanol, the conditions were 77.7 vol.% ethanol content, 10.5 vol.% H₂SO₄ concentration, and 28.6 min reaction time. The experimental results indicate that the acid value of esterified oil could be reduced under optimal conditions using hydrous ethanol, anhydrous ethanol, and AR-grade ethanol at concentrations of 1.85 mg KOH/g, 0.97 mg KOH/g, and 0.95 mg KOH/g, respectively. Anhydrous ethanol had the most cost-effective production. Therefore, anhydrous ethanol was selected to study acid value reduction in esterified oil in a circulation esterification process to increase process efficiency. The results showed an acid value of 1.42 mg KOH/g under optimal conditions of 66.9 vol.% anhydrous ethanol content, 7.3 vol.% H₂SO₄ concentration, and 27.7 min circulation time, with a production cost of 0.460 USD/batch. The circulation esterification process can reduce ethanol content, H₂SO₄ concentration, and production costs by 14.34%, 28.43%, and 16.21%, respectively, compared to the batch esterification process, resulting in significant reductions in chemical and production costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Valorization and Utilization of Biomass and Biomass Derivatives)

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15 pages, 3864 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Investigation of the Synergistic Aromatization Effect During the Co-Pyrolysis of Wheat Straw and Polystyrene Modulated by an HZSM-5 Catalyst

by Zhenhong Cai, Yongkang Ye, Akash Kumar, Hongwei Rong, Baihui Cui, Fang Zhang and Dabin Guo

Catalysts 2025, 15(12), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15121121 - 1 Dec 2025

Viewed by 812

Abstract

To achieve the high-value utilization of agricultural and plastic wastes, the catalytic co-pyrolysis behavior of wheat straw (WS) and polystyrene (PS) was systematically investigated using HZSM-5 zeolite as a catalyst. The results revealed that oxygenates and aliphatic hydrocarbons derived from WS pyrolysis were efficiently converted into aromatics over the HZSM-5 catalyst, increasing the yield of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) from 7.8% to 30.3%. A significant synergistic effect was observed at a WS:PS ratio of 60:40, where the yield of BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylene) reached 41.1%, exceeding the levels achieved from the catalytic pyrolysis of either WS or PS alone. This synergy originates from the reconstruction of reaction pathways: the hydrogen-rich environment generated by PS promoted hydrodeoxygenation of biomass, which suppressed CO₂ formation (−16%) and enhanced carbon atom utilization; meanwhile, HZSM-5 facilitated dealkylation and alkyl transfer reactions, leading to an increase in benzene production (+12%). Moreover, elevating the catalytic temperature helped to inhibit the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and further increased the MAH yield. These findings provide a valuable reference and experimental basis for the synergistic conversion of waste materials into high-value-added aromatics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalytic Valorization and Utilization of Biomass and Biomass Derivatives)

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