Abstract
Transition metal carbides have been utilized as an alternative catalyst to expensive noble metals for the conversion of biomass. Tungsten and molybdenum carbides have been shown to be effective catalysts for hydrogenation, hydrodeoxygenation and isomerization reactions. The satisfactory activities of these metal carbides and their low costs, compared with noble metals, make them appealing alternatives and worthy of further investigation. In this review, we succinctly describe common synthesis techniques, including temperature-programmed reaction and carbothermal hydrogen reduction, utilized to prepare metal carbides used for biomass transformation. Attention will be focused, successively, on the application of transition metal carbide catalysts in the transformation of first-generation (oils) and second-generation (lignocellulose) biomass to biofuels and fine chemicals.
Highlights
Carbon-rich fossil feedstocks have been identified as the main resource for obtaining fuels and fine chemicals [1]
We report a few examples of carbides as catalysts for reforming reactions
Cellulose from plant biomass can serve as a sustainable feedstock for fuels, chemicals and Cellulose from plant biomass can serve as a sustainable feedstock for fuels, chemicals and polymers polymers that are currently produced from petroleum
Summary
Carbon-rich fossil feedstocks have been identified as the main resource for obtaining fuels and fine chemicals [1] They are not renewable and have a non-negligible impact on environmental pollution. Mainly noble metal-based catalysts have been used for the transformation of biomass-based resources [5,6]. They have demonstrated good activity and stability under the harsh reaction conditions (acidic, basic and aqueous) required for biomass conversion. The application of metal carbides in hydrogenation and hydrodeoxidation reactions of first-generation (vegetable oils) and second-generation (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) biomass-derived molecules will be discussed (Scheme 1).
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