Concerns over dwindling oil reserves, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel sources and associated climate change is driving the need for clean, renewable energy supplies. If average global temperature rises induced by greenhouse gases are not to exceed 1.5 °C, then estimates indicate that a large proportion of crude oil, gas and coal reserves must remain untouched.1 Biomass, derived from agricultural and forestry residues, or non-food sources of triglycerides are a sustainable source of carbon that can provide low cost solutions for transportation fuels and organic chemicals. Akin to petroleum refining, biorefining will integrate biomass conversion processes to produce fuels, power, and chemicals, thereby increasing the economic viability of bio-derived processes. Indeed, the US DoE identified a range of sugar derived ‘Platform Chemicals’ produced via chemical or biochemical transformation of lignocellulosic biomass as potential targets for manufacture in biorefineries.2 Catalytic technologies played a critical role in the economic development of both the petrochemical industry and modern society, underpinning 90 % of chemical processes and contributing to over 20% of all industrial products. In a post-petroleum era, catalysis will underpin biorefinery technology, and researchers will need to rise to the challenge of synthesising chemical intermediates and advanced functional materials and fuels from such non-petroleum based feedstocks.3 

This presentation will discuss the challenges faced in catalytic biomass processing, and highlight recent successes in catalyst design facilitated by advances in nanotechnology and careful tuning of catalyst formulation. Specific case studies will explore (i) how the effects of pore architecture and acid strength can impact upon process efficiency in biodiesel synthesis;4,5 (ii) how catalytic pre-treatments improve transportation fuel production from pyrolysis oil,6 and (iii) the role of bifunctional catalysts in the hydrodeoxygenation of phenolic components in bio-oils,7 and the aqueous phase processing of sugars to important platform chemicals and fuel precursors such as 5-HMF derivatives.8



References. 
1. M. Jakob, J. Hilaire, Nature, 517 (2015) 150.
2. J.J. Bozell, G.R. Petersen, Green Chemistry, 12 (2010) 539.
3. K. Wilson, A. F. Lee Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A, 374 (2016) 20150081.
4. A.F. Lee, K Wilson, Catalysis Today, 242 (2015) 3. 
5. M.A. Isaacs, C.M.A. Parlett, N. Robinson, L.J. Durndell, J.C. Manayil, S.K. Beaumont, S. Jiang, N.S. Hondow, A.C. Lamb, M.L. Johns, K. Wilson, A.F. Lee, Nature Catalysis, 3 (2020), 921.
6. L. Ciddor, J.A. Bennett, J.A. Hunns, K. Wilson, A.F. Lee J. Chem. Tech. Biotech., 90 (2015) 780. 
7. A. Shivhare, J.A. Hunns, L.J. Durndell, C.M.A. Parlett, M.A. Isaacs, A.F. Lee, K. Wilson, ChemSusChem, 13 (2020), 4771.
8. A. Osatiashtiani, A.F. Lee, D.R. Brown, J.A. Melero, G. Morales, K. Wilson, Cat. Sci. Tech., 4 (2014), 333. 


Catalysts for a Sustainable Future

**Session Chair: **Jason Lim, Ye Enyi, Zhu Qiang

SYM B - Re-cyclability and Re-manufacturing

technical paper

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MATERIALS FOR HUMANITY (MH 21)

MH 21 is arranged around 6 themes that focus attention on pressing needs that should be addressed to enhance the well-being of communities and provide a forum for presenting breakthrough discoveries.

Karen Wilson

1

SHORT BIO

Presentations

Catalysts for a Sustainable Future