Industrial development and population growth have led to an increased demand for energy. Currently, fossil resources are still the main source of energy. However, they are non-renewable and their large-scale use brings a series of environmental problems. Biomass is an abundant and carbon-neutral renewable source, which has been considered as a promising substitution for fossil resources. The valorization of biomass will decrease the share of fossil resources in the global energy mix and decrease the environmental impacts caused by fossil fuels. Due to the recalcitrance and over-functionalized nature of biomass, the conversion of biomass into desirable products requires a series of complex deconstruction, catalytic conversion, separation, and purification processes. These processes often require harsh conditions and may cause a series of environmental problems. Therefore, the application of green chemistry principles in biomass valorization is a steadily increasing field of research.
In those biomass deconstructions, catalytic conversion, separation, and purification processes, the inefficient routes, toxic or expensive reagents, and unrecoverable catalysts have a significant impact on the quality, reactivity, selectivity and separation of the final products, which may result in high overall costs and energy input, low product yield, and environmental pollution. Green chemistry requires reducing pollution at its source by minimizing or eliminating the hazards of chemical feedstocks, reagents, solvents, and products. Thus, we can design and develop green routes, green catalysts, and green solvents in the processes of biomass valorization to low cost, energy input and environmental impact.
Consequently, this Research Topic "The Application of Green Chemistry in Biomass valorization: Green Route, Green Catalyst and Green Solvent " will highlight current progress on the development of green chemistry in the valorization of biomass resources. We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective Articles on themes including, but not limited to:
1. Green route in biomass transformation, including finding the novel and high-efficiency biomass transformation route with high activity and selectivity, conducting reaction under solvent-free, catalyst-free conditions, or mild reaction conditions; Developing reaction pathways that can avoid the use of toxic chemicals.
2. Green route in biomass utilization, including the conversion of biomass raw materials into functional materials.
3. Green catalyst systems development, such as developing earth-abundant, noble-metal-free and heterogeneous catalysts to replace those noble-metal and homogeneous catalytic systems in biomass transformation.
4. Biomass-based material development and biomass transformation in the green solvent (ie, ionic liquids, supercritical fluid, water, PEG, DES)
5. Novel, high-efficiency and green solvent system for biomass fractionation to improve lignin quality and promote the enzyme hydrolysis of cellulose.
Industrial development and population growth have led to an increased demand for energy. Currently, fossil resources are still the main source of energy. However, they are non-renewable and their large-scale use brings a series of environmental problems. Biomass is an abundant and carbon-neutral renewable source, which has been considered as a promising substitution for fossil resources. The valorization of biomass will decrease the share of fossil resources in the global energy mix and decrease the environmental impacts caused by fossil fuels. Due to the recalcitrance and over-functionalized nature of biomass, the conversion of biomass into desirable products requires a series of complex deconstruction, catalytic conversion, separation, and purification processes. These processes often require harsh conditions and may cause a series of environmental problems. Therefore, the application of green chemistry principles in biomass valorization is a steadily increasing field of research.
In those biomass deconstructions, catalytic conversion, separation, and purification processes, the inefficient routes, toxic or expensive reagents, and unrecoverable catalysts have a significant impact on the quality, reactivity, selectivity and separation of the final products, which may result in high overall costs and energy input, low product yield, and environmental pollution. Green chemistry requires reducing pollution at its source by minimizing or eliminating the hazards of chemical feedstocks, reagents, solvents, and products. Thus, we can design and develop green routes, green catalysts, and green solvents in the processes of biomass valorization to low cost, energy input and environmental impact.
Consequently, this Research Topic "The Application of Green Chemistry in Biomass valorization: Green Route, Green Catalyst and Green Solvent " will highlight current progress on the development of green chemistry in the valorization of biomass resources. We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective Articles on themes including, but not limited to:
1. Green route in biomass transformation, including finding the novel and high-efficiency biomass transformation route with high activity and selectivity, conducting reaction under solvent-free, catalyst-free conditions, or mild reaction conditions; Developing reaction pathways that can avoid the use of toxic chemicals.
2. Green route in biomass utilization, including the conversion of biomass raw materials into functional materials.
3. Green catalyst systems development, such as developing earth-abundant, noble-metal-free and heterogeneous catalysts to replace those noble-metal and homogeneous catalytic systems in biomass transformation.
4. Biomass-based material development and biomass transformation in the green solvent (ie, ionic liquids, supercritical fluid, water, PEG, DES)
5. Novel, high-efficiency and green solvent system for biomass fractionation to improve lignin quality and promote the enzyme hydrolysis of cellulose.