Minimizing Energy Demand in the Conversion of LevulinicAcid to ‑Valerolactone via Photothermal Catalysis UsingRaney Ni
The valorization of lignocellulosic wastes emerges as a prime strategy tomitigate the global carbon footprint. Among the multiple biomass derivatives, -valerolactone is particularly attractive as precursor of high-value chemicals,biofuel, green solvent or perfumery. -Valerolactone can be synthesized...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad de Barcelona |
| Repositorio: | Dipòsit Digital de la UB |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/220552 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2445/220552 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Catàlisi Níquel Biomassa Catalysis Nickel Biomass |
| Sumario: | The valorization of lignocellulosic wastes emerges as a prime strategy tomitigate the global carbon footprint. Among the multiple biomass derivatives, -valerolactone is particularly attractive as precursor of high-value chemicals,biofuel, green solvent or perfumery. -Valerolactone can be synthesizedthrough a hydrogenation reaction from levulinic acid, obtained from cellulose.However, the high energy requirements of this synthetic pathway havehindered its industrial viability. To drastically reduce the reaction energyrequirements, here a novel synthetic strategy, based onsolvothermal-photothermal processes using cost-effective Raney-Ni asphotothermal catalyst, is proposed. First, the use of hydrogen gas is avoidedby selecting isopropanol as a safer and greener H-source. Second, aphotothermocatalytic process is used to minimize the reaction temperatureand time with respect to conventional reactions. This approach exploits thebroadband optical absorption of the Raney®-Ni, due to its highly dampedplasmonic behavior, to achieve fast and efficient catalyst heating inside thereactor. The photothermal reaction required less than 2 h and just 132 °C toreach over 95% conversion, thereby drastically reducing the reaction time andenergy consumption compared to conventional reactions. Importantly, theseconditions granted high catalyst reusability. This solvothermal-photothermalapproach could offer a sustainable alternative for the industrial production of -valerolactone. |
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