About this Research Topic
In the last decade, the decline of traditional fossil fuels and the ongoing environmental concerns associated with them has led to the search for, and development of, alternative energy sources that must be sustainable and respectful to the environment. Among them, biomass is the only carbon-based resource with the potential to produce energy, and the most noteworthy for synthesizing valuable chemicals that are currently produced from fossil fuels. The transformation of biomass into value-added products can take place from thermophysical and thermochemical processes using catalysts.
Currently, much attention is being given to the development of catalytic processes and sustainable technologies for the conversion of non-edible biomass into biofuels and chemicals. In this sense, the transformation of lignocellulosic biomass, mainly wastes coming from agrochemical industries, requires the search for environmentally friendly and sustainable catalytic routes that reduce environmental impact, thus fulfilling the principles of green chemistry. Biochemical processes are already in existence for the production of biofuels, like ethanol, from carbohydrates, but it is necessary to expand scientific efforts toward heterogeneous catalytic processes, which must allow for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into high value-added chemicals and new types of fuels.
Based on this situation, this Research Topic solicits authors to submit original research papers and reviews related to the use of heterogeneous catalysts in different reactions, in order to obtain platform molecules or biofuels through the valorization of biomass. The scope of this Research Topic covers the design of new catalysts, development of new methods of their synthesis, and optimization of pretreatment conditions. Moreover, research into the optimization of reaction conditions, construction of reactors (related with the type of bed and location of the catalyst), and application of multi-step technologies are also encouraged.
Currently, much attention is being given to the development of catalytic processes and sustainable technologies for the conversion of non-edible biomass into biofuels and chemicals. In this sense, the transformation of lignocellulosic biomass, mainly wastes coming from agrochemical industries, requires the search for environmentally friendly and sustainable catalytic routes that reduce environmental impact, thus fulfilling the principles of green chemistry. Biochemical processes are already in existence for the production of biofuels, like ethanol, from carbohydrates, but it is necessary to expand scientific efforts toward heterogeneous catalytic processes, which must allow for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into high value-added chemicals and new types of fuels.
Based on this situation, this Research Topic solicits authors to submit original research papers and reviews related to the use of heterogeneous catalysts in different reactions, in order to obtain platform molecules or biofuels through the valorization of biomass. The scope of this Research Topic covers the design of new catalysts, development of new methods of their synthesis, and optimization of pretreatment conditions. Moreover, research into the optimization of reaction conditions, construction of reactors (related with the type of bed and location of the catalyst), and application of multi-step technologies are also encouraged.
Keywords: heterogeneous catalyst, catalysis, biofuels, platform molecules, biomass conversion
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