P-042

Albert Serrà

a.serra@ub.edu

Jordi Rigual, Elvira Gómez

Universitat de Barcelona, Spain

Advanced Electrosynthesis of Ni-Based Photothermocatalysts for Efficient Lignocellulosic Biomass Valorization

The transition toward a circular and sustainable bioeconomy demands innovative solutions for converting renewable resources into value-added chemicals. Among these resources, lignocellulosic biomass stands out as the most abundant and non-food-based raw material on Earth, offering a promising alternative to fossil feedstocks. A key target molecule derived from the transformation of lignocellulosic biomass is γ-valerolactone (GVL), a versatile platform compound with potential applications in green solvents, biofuels, and specialty chemicals.

This work focuses on the development of a novel catalytic strategy based on the electrosynthesis of nickel-based microstructured catalysts deposited on carbon supports. These catalysts are engineered through a cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally benign electroless deposition process, preceded by sensitization and palladium activation steps to ensure homogeneous coating and strong metal-support interaction. The resulting materials exhibit enhanced surface area, stability, and dispersion properties, making them highly suitable for photothermocatalytic applications.

The catalysts are applied in the hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA)—a biomass-derived intermediate—into GVL using isopropanol as both solvent and hydrogen donor. Remarkably, the system is activated through near-infrared laser irradiation, demonstrating the feasibility of light-induced heating to drive chemical transformations efficiently under moderate conditions (optimal temperature ~105 °C). Through optimization of reaction parameters such as catalyst dosage, LA concentration, and reaction time, near-complete conversion of LA to GVL was achieved with minimal energy input.

Importantly, the catalyst formulation not only eliminates the need for noble metals but also exhibits excellent reusability across multiple cycles, with negligible metal leaching and minimal deactivation. These features position the material as a robust and scalable alternative for sustainable catalytic processes.

This study demonstrates how combining advanced electrosynthesis with integrated photothermal energy inputs enables the design of efficient, low-cost catalytic systems for biomass valorization. The approach paves the way for future deployment of light-driven catalytic technologies in biorefineries and supports the global push toward green chemical manufacturing.

Acknowledgment: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN) is acknowledged through Grants TED2021-129898B-C22 (NextGenerationEU and MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). The authors also would like to express their gratitude to the Departament de Recerca i Universitats as well as the Fons Climàtic de la Generalitat de Catalunya (project 2023 CLIMA 00009 AGAUR) for their support.