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Single-step conversion of lignin monomers to phenol: Bridging the gap between lignin and high-value chemicals

Related publications (32)

Critical scaling for an anisotropic percolation system on Z(2)

In this article, we consider an anisotropic finite-range bond percolation model on Z(2). On each horizontal layer {(x, i): x is an element of Z} we have edges for 1

2020

Fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass to produce uncondensed aldehyde-stabilized lignin

Jeremy Luterbacher, Masoud Talebi Amiri, Ydna Marie Questell-Santiago, Graham Reid Dick

Lignin is one of the most promising sources of renewable aromatic hydrocarbons. Current methods for its extraction from lignocellulosic biomass—which include the kraft, sulfite, and organosolv processes—result in the rapid formation of carbon–carbon bonds, ...

2019

Preventing Lignin Condensation to Facilitate Aromatic Monomer Production

Jeremy Luterbacher, Wu Lan

Lignin is the most abundant aromatic polymer in nature and as such is an attractive source of aromatic molecules. Efficient lignin utilization will also likely play a key role in the economic success and sustainability of biomass valorization schemes. Howe ...

2019

Production and characterization of stabilized lignin

Masoud Talebi Amiri

Lignocellulosic biomass is a sustainable source of renewable carbon, and it is the most abundant form of terrestrial biomass. The three main constituents of lignocellulosic biomass are cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The monomers from these biopolyme ...

EPFL2019

Topology of Pretreated Wood Fibers Using Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Jeremy Luterbacher, Arthur César Pinon, David Lyndon Emsley, Jasmine Viger-Gravel, Wu Lan, Michel Bardet, Pierrick Berruyer

In the continuously developing field of lignocellulosic biomass, high-yield lignin depolymerization processes are sought to optimize its productivity and profitability. Recently, formaldehyde stabilization during lignin extraction and biomass pretreatment ...

2019

Highly Selective Oxidation and Depolymerization of α,γ-Diol Protected Lignin

Jeremy Luterbacher, Jean Thierry C Behaghel de Bueren, Wu Lan

Lignin oxidation offers a potential sustainable pathway to oxygenated aromatic molecules. However, current methods that use real lignin tend to have low selectivity and a yield that is limited by lignin degradation during its extraction. We developed stoic ...

Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH2019

Establishing Lignin Structure-Upgradeability Relationships Using Quantitative 1H-13C Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HSQC-NMR) Spectroscopy

Jeremy Luterbacher, Masoud Talebi Amiri, Ydna Marie Questell-Santiago, Stefania Bertella

Lignin depolymerization could provide an attractive renewable aromatic feedstock for the chemical industry. Past studies have suggested that lignin structural features such as ether content are correlated to lignin’s upgradeability. An obstacle to the deve ...

2019

Controlling topology, dynamics and function of polymer brushes via post-polymerization modification

Piotr Mocny

Polymer brushes are a class of thin coatings, where each of chains is tethered to the underlying substrate via one chain end. Densely grafted polymer brushes feature a stretched chain conformation, which in a unique way enhances their lubrication and non-b ...

EPFL2019

Optimization of Lignin Extraction from Pine Wood for Fast Pyrolysis by Using γ-valerolactone-Based Binary Solvent System

Jeremy Luterbacher, Allen Puente-Urbina

Fast pyrolysis of lignin is a promising method to produce aromatic chemicals and fuels. Lignin structure and pyrolysis conditions determine the liquid yield and product selectivity. Extraction of pine wood using γ-valerolactone (GVL) mixed with water in th ...

2019

Polymer brush interfaces for protein biosensing prepared by surface-initiated controlled radical polymerization

Harm-Anton Klok, Michael Badoux, Mark Billing

Thin polymer films that are able to bind proteins are of great relevance for a wide variety of biosensor and biochip applications. Some of these applications require films that have high protein binding capacities while others call for surfaces that allow ...

2019

Catalytic Upgrading of Biomass-Derived Carboxylic Acids to Fuels and Chemicals

Jher Hau Yeap

Our reliance on fossil fuels, which is unsustainable due to dwindling reserves, has led to various environmental issues. Lignocellulosic biomass could serve as a renewable source of carbon and energy for the production of fuels and chemicals. While several ...

EPFL2019

Universality of jamming of nonspherical particles

Matthieu Wyart, Carolina Brito Carvalho dos Santos

Amorphous packings of nonspherical particles such as ellipsoids and spherocylinders are known to be hypostatic: The number of mechanical contacts between particles is smaller than the number of degrees of freedom, thus violating Maxwell's mechanical stabil ...

National Academy of Sciences2018