Innovative magnetic catalysts for the reductive catalytic fractionation of poplar wood sawdust

Nowadays, the valorization of the lignocellulosic biomass is a promising strategy for obtaining bulk chemicals from a sustainable resource. The traditional processes are focused on the valorization of the holocellulosic fraction relegating to waste the lignin fraction. The necessity of application for this phenolic-rich compound is one of the main challenges of the modern biorefinery. The Reductive Catalytic Fractionation process (RCF) is one promising alternative for this problem since it valorizes lignocellulosic biomass with an elegant one-pot process, conducted in mild conditions, obtaining both highly delignified cellulose pulp, sugar-derived polyols, and depolymerized and stabilized lignin oils. However, the need for noble metal catalysts impacts the economic sustainability of the overall process if the catalyst recovery and recyclability are not guaranteed. This master thesis is focused on the investigation of innovative catalysts based on different supported noble metals over maghemite for the RCF of poplar wood sawdust. By comparison with the activity of benchmark catalysts such as Ru/C, the synthesized catalysts were tested under RCF conditions and compared over different parameters such as magnetic recovery, delignification, and monomeric compounds yield while qualitative analysis on monomer production furnished indications on their different reactivity in this complex system. The final aim would be to provide a preliminary evaluation of the catalyst features needed for the optimization of the process to improve its efficiency and help its possible future development.