About this Research Topic
As for the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived platform molecules to high-value chemicals, an effective metal-acid catalyst system should be capable of fulfilling different reactions, including cellulose hydrolysis, sugar isomerization and hydrogenolysis at the acidic sites, and hydrogenation at the metal sites. However, conversion of cellulose to high-yield chemicals via such a cascade reaction is difficult, for many decades, the yield of target chemicals lingered at low levels, far from the viable performance required for commercial applications. Challenges arise from high energy barriers for cellulose hydrolysis to glucose (120-180 kJ mol−1) and fructose degradation to C3 intermediates (140 kJ mol−1) . Controlled isomerization of glucose to fructose is necessary to endow 1,2-PG, but also challenging. The key point for obtaining high yield 1,2-PG lies in balancing major reactions to proceed at a matched rate. As far as we know, intermediate reactions such as hydrogenation, hydrolysis, and isomerization catalyzed by metals directly affect the reaction path and target product yield. However, under high temperature and pressure conditions, the metal active components are prone to sintering, leaching, acid-base poisoning, etc., resulting in poor activity and stability.
This is focused on the improvement of metal catalyst activity and stability, to facilitate the rate match of metal-involved reactions with others. Therefore, we welcome original research articles and review articles on the theme of “ Carbon-based metal catalysts for valorization of biomass-derived platform molecules: Activity and stability” to build and stimulate an interest in the fabrication of novel metal-containing composite carbon catalysts and their continued development for sustainable catalysis.
The following research areas may be included in this Research Topic, but are not limited to:
• New approaches to develop carbon-based metal catalysts, including hard- and soft-templating methods, as well as template-free synthesis, for example, solid-state conversion of metal-organic frameworks.
• Various metal catalysts, such as supported, core-shell, yolk-shell structured, and superlattice configurations will be welcome.
• Active sites are composed of single, binary, or triple metal species.
Contributions from experiment, theory, computation and data science will be acceptable, including spectroscopy, kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, catalysis, surface science, and quantum computing will be welcome. Interdisciplinary research areas such as materials, nanoscience, energy and surfaces/interfaces are also welcomed if they demonstrate significant innovation and/or insight into physical chemistry. Joined experimental/theoretical studies are particularly appreciated.
Keywords: Carbon, Metal, Hydrogenation, activity, stability
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.