A5063705805- Catalysis for Biomass Conversion
- Catalysis and Hydrodesulfurization Studies
- Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes
- Mesoporous Materials and Catalysis
- Lignin and Wood Chemistry
- Biofuel production and bioconversion
- Catalytic Processes in Materials Science
- Zeolite Catalysis and Synthesis
- Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization
- Catalysts for Methane Reforming
- Catalysis and Oxidation Reactions
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
- Biodiesel Production and Applications
- Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis
- Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies
- Advanced NMR Techniques and Applications
- Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis
- Industrial Gas Emission Control
- Nanomaterials for catalytic reactions
- Chemical Looping and Thermochemical Processes
- Thermal and Kinetic Analysis
- Supercapacitor Materials and Fabrication
- Polyoxometalates: Synthesis and Applications
Iowa State University
2016-2025
Joint BioEnergy Institute
2024
Ames National Laboratory
2002-2021
Bissell (United States)
2017-2021
Environmental Technologies (United States)
2006-2011
Lawrence Technological University
2009
Schlumberger (United States)
2009
California Institute of Technology
1987-1989
General Motors (United States)
1989
Interest in utilizing biorenewable feedstocks to produce fuels and chemicals has risen greatly the past decade due economic, political environmental concerns associated with diminishing petroleum reserves. A fundamental challenge lying ahead development of efficient processes utilize biomass feedstock is that, unlike their counterparts, contains an excess amount oxygen. Therefore, catalytic strategies such as dehydration hydrogenolysis amongst others have been extensively studied platform...
We report the catalytic conversion of glucose in high yields (62%) to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a versatile platform chemical. The reaction system consists Lewis acid metal chloride (e.g., AlCl3) and Brønsted (HCl) biphasic reactor consisting water an alkylphenol compound (2-sec-butylphenol) as organic phase. presence acidity proceeds through tandem pathway involving isomerization fructose, followed by dehydration fructose HMF. phase extracts 97% HMF produced, while both catalysts remain aqueous
In the present study, pyrolysis of corn stover lignin was investigated by using a micro-pyrolyzer coupled with GC-MS/FID (FID=flame ionization detector). The system has pyrolysis-vapor residence times 15-20 ms, thus providing regime minimal secondary reactions. primary product distribution obtained from is reported. Over 84 % mass balance and almost complete closure on carbon achieved. another set experiments, vapors emerging are condensed to obtain lignin-derived bio-oil. chemical...
Abstract Hemicellulose is one of the major constituents biomass. Surprisingly, only very limited information regarding its product distribution under fast pyrolysis conditions available in literature. In present study, a combination several analytical techniques, including micro‐pyrolyzer‐GC‐MS/FID, gas analysis, and capillary electrophoresis, were used to study primary hemicelluloses extracted purified from switchgrass. A total 16 products identified quantified, which accounted for 85 %...
Previously, the primary product distribution resulting from fast pyrolysis of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin was quantified. This study extends analysis to examinations interactions between cellulose–hemicellulose cellulose–lignin, which were determined by comparing products their native mixture, physical superposition individual components. Negligible found for both binary mixtures. For no significant interaction identified either. In case cellulose–lignin herbaceous biomass exhibited...
Removing excess nitrate (NO3–) from waste streams has become a significant environmental and health topic. However, realizing highly selective NO3– conversion toward N2, primarily via electrocatalytic conversions, proven challenging, largely because of the kinetically uncontrollable NO3–-to-NO2– pathway unfavorable N–N coupling. Herein, we discovered unique ultra-high NO3–-to-NO2–activity on oxide-derived silver (OD-Ag). Up to 98% selectivity 95% Faradaic efficiency (FE) NO2– were observed...
Electrocatalytic hydrogenation and oxidation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural in one paired electrolyzer produces two biorenewable monomers with a combined electron efficiency 187%.
The use of polar aprotic solvents in acid-catalyzed biomass conversion reactions can lead to improved reaction rates and selectivities. We show that further increases catalyst performance be achieved through the addition inorganic salts, specifically chlorides. Reaction kinetics studies Brønsted dehydration fructose hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) catalytic concentrations chloride salts leads a 10-fold increase reactivity. Furthermore, increased HMF yields using mixed with Ab initio molecular...
The chemical industry is currently reliant on a historically inexpensive, petroleum-based carbon feedstock that generates small collection of platform chemicals from which highly efficient conversions lead to the manufacture large variety products. Recently, number factors have coalesced provide impetus explore alternative renewable sources carbon. Here we discuss potential impact shifting non-renewable sources. This change biological will an opportunity for research community contribute...
Fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, utilizing moderate temperatures ranging from 400 to 600 °C, produces a primary liquid product (pyrolytic bio-oil), which is potentially compatible with existing petroleum-based infrastructure and can be catalytically upgraded fuels chemicals. In this work, experiments were conducted micropyrolyzer coupled gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/flame ionization detector system investigate fast neat cellulose other glucose-based carbohydrates. A...
Bioprivileged molecules generated from biomass can be converted to both novel and drop-in replacements.
Recent advances in metabolic engineering have allowed for the production of a wide array molecules via biocatalytic routes. The high selectivity biocatalysis to remove functionality from biomass can be used produce platform that are suitable subsequent upgrading over heterogeneous catalysts. Accordingly, more robust continuous processing by chemical catalysis could leveraged upgrade biologically derived direct or functional replacements petroleum products. Herein, we highlight recent results...
Abstract Natural oils and fats are emerging as a biobased alternative feedstock to conventional crude oil in the production of chemicals transportation fuel. However, many these not currently cost competitive with petrochemicals because high raw material costs. To improve economic outlook chemicals, use suitable catalysts becomes imperative. Recently, discovery advanced synthesis strategies such supramolecular‐assembled mesoporous materials has created new opportunities tailoring catalyst...
The carbonation of CaO is an attractive method for removing CO2 from hot gas mixtures. However, regeneration and reuse a CaO-based sorbent causes gradual decline in absorption capacity, which ultimately limits the life material. Various methods have been proposed increasing cycle performance sorbent. Two these were selected further investigation. One incorporates "inert" material sorbent, while second stabilizes through controlled sintering. Promising results achieved with both when they...
Triacetic acid lactone is demonstrated to be a versatile biorenewable molecule with potential as platform chemical for the production of commercially valuable bifunctional intermediates and end products, such sorbic acid.
As biomass pyrolysis is a promising technology for producing renewable fuels, mechanistic descriptions of thermal decomposition are increasing interest. While previous studies have demonstrated that glucose key primary intermediate and elucidated many important elementary mechanisms in its pyrolysis, questions remain. For example, there several proposed evolution an product platform chemical, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), but evaluation with different methodologies has hindered...