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2,2,5,5-tetramethyloxolane (TMO) has recently been identified and demonstrated as a safer solvent to replace toluene, THF, and hydrocarbons in a handful of applications. Herein, several bio-based routes to TMO are presented and assessed for greenness, assisted by the CHEM21 Metrics Toolkit and BioLogicTool plots. Using glucose as a common starting point, two chemocatalytic routes and two biochemical routes to TMO were identified and the pathways compared using the aforementioned tools. In addition, bio-based TMO was synthesised via one of these routes; from methyl levulinate supplied by Avantium, a by-product of the sugar dehydration step during the production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid. First, methyl levulinate underwent triple methylation using methyl magnesium chloride (MeMgCl) to yield 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-diol (DHL) in high yields of 89.7%. Then DHL was converted to high purity TMO (>98.5%) by cyclodehydration using H-BEA zeolites based on the previously reported approach. Bio-based content of this TMO was confirmed by ASTM D6866-20 Method B and found to have 64% bio-based carbon, well above the threshold of 25% set by CEN/TC 411 standards and matching the anticipated content. This study represents the first demonstration of a bio-based synthesis of TMO and confirmation of bio-content by accepted standards.
Fergal Byrne; James Clark; Carlo Angelici; Ed de Jong; Thomas Farmer. Greenness Assessment and Synthesis for the Bio-Based Production of the Solvent 2,2,5,5-Tetramethyloxolane (TMO). Sustainable Chemistry 2021, 2, 392 -406.
AMA StyleFergal Byrne, James Clark, Carlo Angelici, Ed de Jong, Thomas Farmer. Greenness Assessment and Synthesis for the Bio-Based Production of the Solvent 2,2,5,5-Tetramethyloxolane (TMO). Sustainable Chemistry. 2021; 2 (3):392-406.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFergal Byrne; James Clark; Carlo Angelici; Ed de Jong; Thomas Farmer. 2021. "Greenness Assessment and Synthesis for the Bio-Based Production of the Solvent 2,2,5,5-Tetramethyloxolane (TMO)." Sustainable Chemistry 2, no. 3: 392-406.
Graphite catalytic coating of the wood sawdust is a step-improvement toward higher efficiency of the microwave-assisted pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass.
Florent P. Bouxin; Jiajun Fan; Vitaliy L. Budarin; James H. Clark. Electrical conductivity of beech sawdust using graphite catalytic coating: unlocking the microwave-assisted thermolysis efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass. Sustainable Energy & Fuels 2021, 5, 3895 -3905.
AMA StyleFlorent P. Bouxin, Jiajun Fan, Vitaliy L. Budarin, James H. Clark. Electrical conductivity of beech sawdust using graphite catalytic coating: unlocking the microwave-assisted thermolysis efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass. Sustainable Energy & Fuels. 2021; 5 (15):3895-3905.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlorent P. Bouxin; Jiajun Fan; Vitaliy L. Budarin; James H. Clark. 2021. "Electrical conductivity of beech sawdust using graphite catalytic coating: unlocking the microwave-assisted thermolysis efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass." Sustainable Energy & Fuels 5, no. 15: 3895-3905.
As China ramped-up coal power capacities rapidly while CO2 emissions need to decline, these capacities would turn into stranded assets. To deal with this risk, a promising option is to retrofit these capacities to co-fire with biomass and eventually upgrade to CCS operation (BECCS), but the feasibility is debated with respect to negative impacts on broader sustainability issues. Here we present a data-rich spatially explicit approach to estimate the marginal cost curve for decarbonizing the power sector in China with BECCS. We identify a potential of 222 GW of power capacities in 2836 counties generated by co-firing 0.9 Gt of biomass from the same county, with half being agricultural residues. Our spatially explicit method helps to reduce uncertainty in the economic costs and emissions of BECCS, identify the best opportunities for bioenergy and show the limitations by logistical challenges to achieve carbon neutrality in the power sector with large-scale BECCS in China.
Xiaofan Xing; Rong Wang; Nico Bauer; Philippe Ciais; Junji Cao; Jianmin Chen; Xu Tang; Lin Wang; Xin Yang; Olivier Boucher; Daniel Goll; Josep Peñuelas; Ivan A. Janssens; Yves Balkanski; James Clark; Jianmin Ma; Bo Pan; Shicheng Zhang; Xingnan Ye; Yutao Wang; Qing Li; Gang Luo; Guofeng Shen; Wei Li; Yechen Yang; Siqing Xu. Spatially explicit analysis identifies significant potential for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage in China. Nature Communications 2021, 12, 1 -12.
AMA StyleXiaofan Xing, Rong Wang, Nico Bauer, Philippe Ciais, Junji Cao, Jianmin Chen, Xu Tang, Lin Wang, Xin Yang, Olivier Boucher, Daniel Goll, Josep Peñuelas, Ivan A. Janssens, Yves Balkanski, James Clark, Jianmin Ma, Bo Pan, Shicheng Zhang, Xingnan Ye, Yutao Wang, Qing Li, Gang Luo, Guofeng Shen, Wei Li, Yechen Yang, Siqing Xu. Spatially explicit analysis identifies significant potential for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage in China. Nature Communications. 2021; 12 (1):1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleXiaofan Xing; Rong Wang; Nico Bauer; Philippe Ciais; Junji Cao; Jianmin Chen; Xu Tang; Lin Wang; Xin Yang; Olivier Boucher; Daniel Goll; Josep Peñuelas; Ivan A. Janssens; Yves Balkanski; James Clark; Jianmin Ma; Bo Pan; Shicheng Zhang; Xingnan Ye; Yutao Wang; Qing Li; Gang Luo; Guofeng Shen; Wei Li; Yechen Yang; Siqing Xu. 2021. "Spatially explicit analysis identifies significant potential for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage in China." Nature Communications 12, no. 1: 1-12.
It is significant that hazardous properties of chemicals including replacements for banned or restricted products are assessed at an early stage of product and process design.
Ao Yang; Yang Su; Zihao Wang; Saimeng Jin; Jingzheng Ren; Xiangping Zhang; Weifeng Shen; James H. Clark. A multi-task deep learning neural network for predicting flammability-related properties from molecular structures. Green Chemistry 2021, 23, 4451 -4465.
AMA StyleAo Yang, Yang Su, Zihao Wang, Saimeng Jin, Jingzheng Ren, Xiangping Zhang, Weifeng Shen, James H. Clark. A multi-task deep learning neural network for predicting flammability-related properties from molecular structures. Green Chemistry. 2021; 23 (12):4451-4465.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAo Yang; Yang Su; Zihao Wang; Saimeng Jin; Jingzheng Ren; Xiangping Zhang; Weifeng Shen; James H. Clark. 2021. "A multi-task deep learning neural network for predicting flammability-related properties from molecular structures." Green Chemistry 23, no. 12: 4451-4465.
A multifunctional Ru/SBA-15 catalyst is prepared via impregnation and used in the depolymerization of crude waste corn stover enzymatic lignin (CSEL) to produce monophenols and, unexpectedly, the industrially important organic siloxanes. In the depolymerization of CSEL over Ru/SBA-15, a high phenolic monomer yield of 13.91 wt% with a high selectivity to ethylphenols (≈61%) can be achieved. Unexpectedly, when the reaction is carried out in ethanol, the predictable phenolic products are accompanied by both diethyl dimethyl orthosilicate and tetraethyl orthosilicate with the methyl group likely to come from lignin methoxy groups. Changing to a different alcohol solvent changes the siloxane products accordingly. The characterization of catalysts indicates that Ru0 is the active species in Ru/SBA-15 catalysts and is well dispersed with small particle size (6.2 nm). This catalyst significantly contributes to both the production of phenols and siloxanes and contributes to the hydrogenolysis/hydrogenation of lignin.
Shanshan Feng; Xudong Liu; Jiajun Fan; Changwei Hu; James H. Clark. Unexpected Formation of Organic Siloxanes alongside Ethylphenols in the Catalytic Hydrogenation of Waste Enzymatic Lignin. Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research 2021, 2100059 .
AMA StyleShanshan Feng, Xudong Liu, Jiajun Fan, Changwei Hu, James H. Clark. Unexpected Formation of Organic Siloxanes alongside Ethylphenols in the Catalytic Hydrogenation of Waste Enzymatic Lignin. Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research. 2021; ():2100059.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShanshan Feng; Xudong Liu; Jiajun Fan; Changwei Hu; James H. Clark. 2021. "Unexpected Formation of Organic Siloxanes alongside Ethylphenols in the Catalytic Hydrogenation of Waste Enzymatic Lignin." Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research , no. : 2100059.
An oligosaccharide-based masking agent for Cr-free metal tanning was produced from cellulose via a stepwise degradation and oxidation process.
Zhicheng Jiang; Shuguang Xu; Wei Ding; Mi Gao; Jiajun Fan; Changwei Hu; Bi Shi; James H. Clark. Advanced masking agent for leather tanning from stepwise degradation and oxidation of cellulose. Green Chemistry 2021, 23, 4044 -4050.
AMA StyleZhicheng Jiang, Shuguang Xu, Wei Ding, Mi Gao, Jiajun Fan, Changwei Hu, Bi Shi, James H. Clark. Advanced masking agent for leather tanning from stepwise degradation and oxidation of cellulose. Green Chemistry. 2021; 23 (11):4044-4050.
Chicago/Turabian StyleZhicheng Jiang; Shuguang Xu; Wei Ding; Mi Gao; Jiajun Fan; Changwei Hu; Bi Shi; James H. Clark. 2021. "Advanced masking agent for leather tanning from stepwise degradation and oxidation of cellulose." Green Chemistry 23, no. 11: 4044-4050.
The P–C-T carbon catalyst derived from abundant biomass molecule phytic acid exhibited a remarkable catalytic activity for maleic acid (MA) synthesis from furfural.
Huifa Zhang; Shaolin Wang; Huixian Zhang; James H. Clark; Fahai Cao. A biomass-derived metal-free catalyst doped with phosphorus for highly efficient and selective oxidation of furfural into maleic acid. Green Chemistry 2021, 23, 1370 -1381.
AMA StyleHuifa Zhang, Shaolin Wang, Huixian Zhang, James H. Clark, Fahai Cao. A biomass-derived metal-free catalyst doped with phosphorus for highly efficient and selective oxidation of furfural into maleic acid. Green Chemistry. 2021; 23 (3):1370-1381.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHuifa Zhang; Shaolin Wang; Huixian Zhang; James H. Clark; Fahai Cao. 2021. "A biomass-derived metal-free catalyst doped with phosphorus for highly efficient and selective oxidation of furfural into maleic acid." Green Chemistry 23, no. 3: 1370-1381.
A bio-derived Ni catalyst (phytocat) was developed using microwave assisted in-situ biosynthesis. The efficient use of naturally bound nickel in phytocat was successful in synergistic valorization of polystyrene to yield valuable chemical building blocks.
Parul Johar; Elizabeth L. Rylott; C. Robert McElroy; Avtar S. Matharu; James H. Clark. Phytocat – a bio-derived Ni catalyst for rapid de-polymerization of polystyrene using a synergistic approach. Green Chemistry 2021, 23, 808 -814.
AMA StyleParul Johar, Elizabeth L. Rylott, C. Robert McElroy, Avtar S. Matharu, James H. Clark. Phytocat – a bio-derived Ni catalyst for rapid de-polymerization of polystyrene using a synergistic approach. Green Chemistry. 2021; 23 (2):808-814.
Chicago/Turabian StyleParul Johar; Elizabeth L. Rylott; C. Robert McElroy; Avtar S. Matharu; James H. Clark. 2021. "Phytocat – a bio-derived Ni catalyst for rapid de-polymerization of polystyrene using a synergistic approach." Green Chemistry 23, no. 2: 808-814.
This work addresses the management of Brewers’ Spent Grain (BSG) using a state-of-the-art, microwave-assisted, hydrothermal carbonization (MA-HTC) process, for the production of hydrochar, i.e., a renewable solid biomaterial with many industrial applications. For the first time, a detailed relationship has been established between the processing conditions and the properties of the hydrochar via a thorough physicochemical characterization. The experimental results revealed that the temperature (180–250 °C) and reaction time (0–2 h) used in the MA-HTC process exerted a significant influence on the yield and properties of the hydrochar. An increase in these variables (process severity) diminished the hydrochar yield. However, such increments were beneficial to enhance the fuel properties of this product, as the proportions of O and C decreased and increased, respectively. As a result, this process was capable of transforming up to 47% of the original BSG into a high-energy hydrochar with a calorific value of 32 MJ/kg. The characterization of the hydrochar revelated that it was a mesoporous, hydrophilic, rough material, containing several cavities and oxygen functionalities on the surface. These features not only provide the hydrochar with a high aromatic character but also are fundamental for its potential applicability as a bioadsorbent material. An increase in the MA-HTC severity augmented the amounts of aliphatic and aromatic structures in the hydrochar as well as the roughness and the presence of cavities, thus highlighting the excellent flexibility of the process. Therefore, these promising results, together with the energy-efficient and bespoke nature of the MA-HTC process, which substantially reduces the reaction temperature and processing times in comparison to standard carbonization procedures reported to date, represent a step-change not only for the production of biofuels and biomaterials but also for the management of BSG.
Almudena Lorente; Javier Remón; Manuel Salgado; Alberto J. Huertas-Alonso; Prado Sánchez-Verdú; Andrés Moreno; James H. Clark. Sustainable Production of Solid Biofuels and Biomaterials by Microwave-Assisted, Hydrothermal Carbonization (MA-HTC) of Brewers’ Spent Grain (BSG). ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2020, 8, 18982 -18991.
AMA StyleAlmudena Lorente, Javier Remón, Manuel Salgado, Alberto J. Huertas-Alonso, Prado Sánchez-Verdú, Andrés Moreno, James H. Clark. Sustainable Production of Solid Biofuels and Biomaterials by Microwave-Assisted, Hydrothermal Carbonization (MA-HTC) of Brewers’ Spent Grain (BSG). ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2020; 8 (51):18982-18991.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlmudena Lorente; Javier Remón; Manuel Salgado; Alberto J. Huertas-Alonso; Prado Sánchez-Verdú; Andrés Moreno; James H. Clark. 2020. "Sustainable Production of Solid Biofuels and Biomaterials by Microwave-Assisted, Hydrothermal Carbonization (MA-HTC) of Brewers’ Spent Grain (BSG)." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 8, no. 51: 18982-18991.
Bio-oil (pyrolysis oil) is an essential feedstock for the production of renewable fossil-free fuels and valuable chemicals. Enhancement of the pyrolysis oil yield and its quality are significant challenges for an efficient and sustainable biorefinery. Here, we report the microwave (MW)-assisted noncatalytic pyrolysis of cellulose, as a green and controllable alternative to conventional heating, in the presence of eco-friendly Li-, Na-, K-, Mg-, Ca- and Ba-bentonites. The detailed analysis of the MV heating traces demonstrates that the bentonite MW activity significantly depends on the presence of internal water. The intensity of this interaction is controlled by the cation nature reduced in the order: Li+ > Na+ > K+ and Mg2+ > Ca2+ > Ba2+. A unique experimental design for the MW-assisted pyrolysis of cellulose in the presence of Li-doped clays helps to increase the bio-oil yield to 37.8% with high selectivity towards the commercially useful levoglucosan (purity: 39.36%). The combination of an alternative green heating method and environmentally friendly bentonites can be used many times without recycling. We believe that the improved yields of bio-oil are due to: (i) high MW activity of bentonites, which conventionally increases the heating rates of cellulose; and (ii) production of water by hydrophilic clay minerals, favouring depolymerisation of cellulose.
Alisa Doroshenko; Ihor Pylypenko; Simona Gromovaite; James Clark; Vitaliy Budarin. Effect of Exchangeable Cation in Clays on the Yield and Quality of the Bio-Oil during Microwave Pyrolysis of Cellulose. Sustainable Chemistry 2020, 1, 315 -324.
AMA StyleAlisa Doroshenko, Ihor Pylypenko, Simona Gromovaite, James Clark, Vitaliy Budarin. Effect of Exchangeable Cation in Clays on the Yield and Quality of the Bio-Oil during Microwave Pyrolysis of Cellulose. Sustainable Chemistry. 2020; 1 (3):315-324.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlisa Doroshenko; Ihor Pylypenko; Simona Gromovaite; James Clark; Vitaliy Budarin. 2020. "Effect of Exchangeable Cation in Clays on the Yield and Quality of the Bio-Oil during Microwave Pyrolysis of Cellulose." Sustainable Chemistry 1, no. 3: 315-324.
Hesperidin and rutin are two sought-after natural flavonoids, traditionally extracted from abundant natural citrus fruits and tea leaves using large amounts of ethanol or methanol solvents. Recent trends in extractions have focused on minimizing the use of solvents and creating simpler cost-effective processes. This study aims to apply the concept of chemical valorization in the context of a circular economy, by using agro-industrial waste and biobased alternatives to traditional solvents, which are of environmental concern. We use minimum amounts of solvent/sample (5 mL/0.25 or 0.5 g) to extract hesperidin and rutin in a single-stage solid–liquid extraction. Thirty individual solvents and HSPiP were applied to find the best solvents/blends for extraction. The type of solvent, sample preparation, maceration time, and extraction temperature were studied. Results showed that the biobased solvent Cyrene is very effective when mildly heated to 65 °C (up to 91%) or mixed with water. Adding water to Cyrene forms its geminal diol hydrate, this enhances the solubility and extraction of hesperidin and rutin up to ten times than those of the original pure ketone form. Quantitative sustainability metrics from the CHEM21 Toolkit demonstrated that our extraction methodology is environmentally friendly and offers future potential of isolation of other flavonoids.
Roxana Alina Milescu; Mateus Lodi Segatto; Aylon Stahl; Con Robert McElroy; Thomas James Farmer; James Hanley Clark; Vânia Gomes Zuin. Sustainable Single-Stage Solid–Liquid Extraction of Hesperidin and Rutin from Agro-Products Using Cyrene. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2020, 8, 18245 -18257.
AMA StyleRoxana Alina Milescu, Mateus Lodi Segatto, Aylon Stahl, Con Robert McElroy, Thomas James Farmer, James Hanley Clark, Vânia Gomes Zuin. Sustainable Single-Stage Solid–Liquid Extraction of Hesperidin and Rutin from Agro-Products Using Cyrene. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2020; 8 (49):18245-18257.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoxana Alina Milescu; Mateus Lodi Segatto; Aylon Stahl; Con Robert McElroy; Thomas James Farmer; James Hanley Clark; Vânia Gomes Zuin. 2020. "Sustainable Single-Stage Solid–Liquid Extraction of Hesperidin and Rutin from Agro-Products Using Cyrene." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 8, no. 49: 18245-18257.
Biocomposites made entirely by renewable biomass demonstrate excellent mechanical, hydrophobic and thermal properties thanks to rational cross-linking and fiber reinforcement.
Hangbo Yue; Yuru Zheng; Pingxuan Zheng; Jianwei Guo; Juan P. Fernández-Blázquez; James H. Clark; Yingde Cui. On the improvement of properties of bioplastic composites derived from wasted cottonseed protein by rational cross-linking and natural fiber reinforcement. Green Chemistry 2020, 22, 8642 -8655.
AMA StyleHangbo Yue, Yuru Zheng, Pingxuan Zheng, Jianwei Guo, Juan P. Fernández-Blázquez, James H. Clark, Yingde Cui. On the improvement of properties of bioplastic composites derived from wasted cottonseed protein by rational cross-linking and natural fiber reinforcement. Green Chemistry. 2020; 22 (24):8642-8655.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHangbo Yue; Yuru Zheng; Pingxuan Zheng; Jianwei Guo; Juan P. Fernández-Blázquez; James H. Clark; Yingde Cui. 2020. "On the improvement of properties of bioplastic composites derived from wasted cottonseed protein by rational cross-linking and natural fiber reinforcement." Green Chemistry 22, no. 24: 8642-8655.
Luca Longanesi; Florent P. Bouxin; Jiajun Fan; Hadiza Auta; Richard Gammons; Felix Abeln; Vitaliy L. Budarin; James H. Clark; Christopher J. Chuck. Scaled-Up Microwave-Assisted Pretreatment and Continuous Fermentation to Produce Yeast Lipids from Brewery Wastes. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2020, 59, 1 .
AMA StyleLuca Longanesi, Florent P. Bouxin, Jiajun Fan, Hadiza Auta, Richard Gammons, Felix Abeln, Vitaliy L. Budarin, James H. Clark, Christopher J. Chuck. Scaled-Up Microwave-Assisted Pretreatment and Continuous Fermentation to Produce Yeast Lipids from Brewery Wastes. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. 2020; 59 (44):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca Longanesi; Florent P. Bouxin; Jiajun Fan; Hadiza Auta; Richard Gammons; Felix Abeln; Vitaliy L. Budarin; James H. Clark; Christopher J. Chuck. 2020. "Scaled-Up Microwave-Assisted Pretreatment and Continuous Fermentation to Produce Yeast Lipids from Brewery Wastes." Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 59, no. 44: 1.
Superheating of starch substrates in microwaves helps to actualize a green, energy-efficient biorefinery of food wastes.
Iris K. M. Yu; Jiajun Fan; Vitaliy L. Budarin; Florent P. Bouxin; James H. Clark; Daniel C. W. Tsang. Evidences of starch–microwave interactions under hydrolytic and pyrolytic conditions. Green Chemistry 2020, 22, 7109 -7118.
AMA StyleIris K. M. Yu, Jiajun Fan, Vitaliy L. Budarin, Florent P. Bouxin, James H. Clark, Daniel C. W. Tsang. Evidences of starch–microwave interactions under hydrolytic and pyrolytic conditions. Green Chemistry. 2020; 22 (20):7109-7118.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIris K. M. Yu; Jiajun Fan; Vitaliy L. Budarin; Florent P. Bouxin; James H. Clark; Daniel C. W. Tsang. 2020. "Evidences of starch–microwave interactions under hydrolytic and pyrolytic conditions." Green Chemistry 22, no. 20: 7109-7118.
A methanol/choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvent enhances the catalytic oxidation of lignin into acetovanillone and acetic acid under mild conditions.
Qiang Yu; Zhenlong Song; Xiaoyan Chen; Jiajun Fan; James H. Clark; Zhongming Wang; Yongming Sun; Zhenhong Yuan. A methanol–choline chloride based deep eutectic solvent enhances the catalytic oxidation of lignin into acetovanillone and acetic acid. Green Chemistry 2020, 22, 1 .
AMA StyleQiang Yu, Zhenlong Song, Xiaoyan Chen, Jiajun Fan, James H. Clark, Zhongming Wang, Yongming Sun, Zhenhong Yuan. A methanol–choline chloride based deep eutectic solvent enhances the catalytic oxidation of lignin into acetovanillone and acetic acid. Green Chemistry. 2020; 22 (19):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQiang Yu; Zhenlong Song; Xiaoyan Chen; Jiajun Fan; James H. Clark; Zhongming Wang; Yongming Sun; Zhenhong Yuan. 2020. "A methanol–choline chloride based deep eutectic solvent enhances the catalytic oxidation of lignin into acetovanillone and acetic acid." Green Chemistry 22, no. 19: 1.
Efficient depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass is a prerequisite for sugar production and its subsequent up-gradation to fuels and chemicals. Organic carbonate solvents, i.e., propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), which are low in toxicity and biodegradable, were investigated as ‘green’ co-solvents (PC/H2O, EC/H2O, DMC/H2O, solvent ratio 1:1) for depolymerization of cellulosic paper towel waste. PC/H2O and EC/H2O enhanced the depolymerization of paper towel waste and improved the total sugar yield (up to ~25 Cmol%) compared to H2O only (up to ~11 Cmol%) at mild reaction conditions (130°C, 20 min). The higher performance of PC/H2O and EC/H2O can be attributed to higher availability of reactive protons in the catalytic system that facilitates efficient acid hydrolysis of recalcitrant cellulosic fibers. Moreover, a substantial build-up of in-vessel pressure by CO2 release during the microwave-assisted reaction because of decomposition of PC or EC might have accelerated the conversion of paper towel wastes. PC and EC are prospective solvents for lignocellulosic biomass conversion considering their green features and notable catalytic performance, which have a good potential for substituting conventional organic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) that are often considered hazardous in terms of health, safety, and environmental implications.
Shanta Dutta; Iris K. M. Yu; Daniel C. W. Tsang; Jiajun Fan; James Hanley Clark; Zhicheng Jiang; Zhishan Su; Changwei Hu; C. S. Poon. Efficient Depolymerization of Cellulosic Paper Towel Waste Using Organic Carbonate Solvents. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2020, 8, 1 .
AMA StyleShanta Dutta, Iris K. M. Yu, Daniel C. W. Tsang, Jiajun Fan, James Hanley Clark, Zhicheng Jiang, Zhishan Su, Changwei Hu, C. S. Poon. Efficient Depolymerization of Cellulosic Paper Towel Waste Using Organic Carbonate Solvents. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2020; 8 (34):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShanta Dutta; Iris K. M. Yu; Daniel C. W. Tsang; Jiajun Fan; James Hanley Clark; Zhicheng Jiang; Zhishan Su; Changwei Hu; C. S. Poon. 2020. "Efficient Depolymerization of Cellulosic Paper Towel Waste Using Organic Carbonate Solvents." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 8, no. 34: 1.
This investigation explores the microwave-assisted, synergistic co-depolymerisation of wheat straw (2G biomass) and Laminaria Saccharina (3G biomass) as a novel strategy for the production of sugar-rich aqueous carriers. The effects of the feedstock (each material alone and all the possible binary mixtures) were carefully analysed over a wide range of reaction temperatures and times. The optimisation of the process revealed that 19 wt.% of wheat straw and 46 wt.% of Laminaria Saccharina could individually be converted into an aqueous, high purity (85-95 C-wt.%), sugar solution at 190 ºC using a reaction time of 18 and 35 min, respectively. The reactivity of wheat straw can be synergistically increased by co-feeding this material a relative amount of seaweed varying between 36 and 57 wt.% with respect to the total biomass content, at 215ºC for 40 min. This allowed the transformation of 30 wt.% of the feedstock mixture into a sugar-rich (90 C-wt.%) aqueous solution. The higher reactivity of seaweed than that of wheat straw, as well as the synergistic effects that the former exerted on the depolymerisation of the latter, were accounted for by the formation of ‘a pool of active catalytic species’. The mechanism involved an ‘in-situ’ metal-biomass, microwave-promoted catalysis with marginal mass transfer limitations; followed by metal leaching, leading to a greater spread of the reactions occurring in the liquid phase. This resulted in the formation of new ‘in-situ catalytic species’, i.e. carboxylic acids, which acted as homogeneous catalysts and ended up being transformed to gases so that they did not affect sugar purity. Therefore, this novel co-valorisation strategy might represent a step-change for the development of novel ‘non-seasonal, non-feedstock dependent’ 5G bio-refineries and can help to render the entire bio-refinery for 2G and 3G biomasses more logistically efficient and economically competitive.
Javier Remón; Samantha H. Danby; James Hanley Clark; Avtar S. Matharu. A New Step Forward Nonseasonal 5G Biorefineries: Microwave-Assisted, Synergistic, Co-Depolymerization of Wheat Straw (2G Biomass) and Laminaria saccharina (3G Biomass). ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2020, 8, 12493 -12510.
AMA StyleJavier Remón, Samantha H. Danby, James Hanley Clark, Avtar S. Matharu. A New Step Forward Nonseasonal 5G Biorefineries: Microwave-Assisted, Synergistic, Co-Depolymerization of Wheat Straw (2G Biomass) and Laminaria saccharina (3G Biomass). ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2020; 8 (33):12493-12510.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJavier Remón; Samantha H. Danby; James Hanley Clark; Avtar S. Matharu. 2020. "A New Step Forward Nonseasonal 5G Biorefineries: Microwave-Assisted, Synergistic, Co-Depolymerization of Wheat Straw (2G Biomass) and Laminaria saccharina (3G Biomass)." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 8, no. 33: 12493-12510.
NaCl promotes starch gelatinisation via selective interactions with –OH groups and assists auto-catalysed hydrolysis, reducing energy use by 70% in microwave compared to conventional heating.
Iris K. M. Yu; Jiajun Fan; Vitaliy L. Budarin; Florent P. Bouxin; James H. Clark; Daniel C. W. Tsang. NaCl-promoted phase transition and glycosidic bond cleavage under microwave heating for energy-efficient biorefinery of rice starch. Green Chemistry 2020, 22, 7355 -7365.
AMA StyleIris K. M. Yu, Jiajun Fan, Vitaliy L. Budarin, Florent P. Bouxin, James H. Clark, Daniel C. W. Tsang. NaCl-promoted phase transition and glycosidic bond cleavage under microwave heating for energy-efficient biorefinery of rice starch. Green Chemistry. 2020; 22 (21):7355-7365.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIris K. M. Yu; Jiajun Fan; Vitaliy L. Budarin; Florent P. Bouxin; James H. Clark; Daniel C. W. Tsang. 2020. "NaCl-promoted phase transition and glycosidic bond cleavage under microwave heating for energy-efficient biorefinery of rice starch." Green Chemistry 22, no. 21: 7355-7365.
Green Tycoon is a free-of-charge game-based mobile application that embraces a systems thinking approach to introducing students to a biorefining process model within green chemistry. Players adopt the role of a manager in a chemical factory, synthesizing the fictional compound, Yorkanone. Through upgrading the system and engaging with the integrated quiz, players can learn fundamental green chemistry principles while appreciating some of the considerations in biorefining. Green Tycoon was implemented with 33 undergraduate students where survey feedback demonstrated that the game was engaging and innovative and was a helpful tool to appreciate the importance of green chemistry when designing chemical processes. On the basis of pretest and post-test questions to evaluate learning gain, Green Tycoon proved to be a useful resource to introduce students to green chemistry and its role in moving toward a bioeconomy. Design of the mobile application serves as a useful example of what an upper-division undergraduate student with no coding knowledge can achieve through a chemistry education research project.
Matthew Lees; Michael T. Wentzel; James H. Clark; Glenn A. Hurst. Green Tycoon: A Mobile Application Game to Introduce Biorefining Principles in Green Chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education 2020, 97, 2014 -2019.
AMA StyleMatthew Lees, Michael T. Wentzel, James H. Clark, Glenn A. Hurst. Green Tycoon: A Mobile Application Game to Introduce Biorefining Principles in Green Chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education. 2020; 97 (7):2014-2019.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatthew Lees; Michael T. Wentzel; James H. Clark; Glenn A. Hurst. 2020. "Green Tycoon: A Mobile Application Game to Introduce Biorefining Principles in Green Chemistry." Journal of Chemical Education 97, no. 7: 2014-2019.
Influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on phosphorus solid–liquid transformation during the hydrothermal processing of swine manure.
Yaxin Deng; Tao Zhang; James Clark; Tejraj Aminabhavi; Andrea Kruse; Daniel C. W. Tsang; Brajendra K. Sharma; Fusuo Zhang; Hongqiang Ren. Mechanisms and modelling of phosphorus solid–liquid transformation during the hydrothermal processing of swine manure. Green Chemistry 2020, 22, 5628 -5638.
AMA StyleYaxin Deng, Tao Zhang, James Clark, Tejraj Aminabhavi, Andrea Kruse, Daniel C. W. Tsang, Brajendra K. Sharma, Fusuo Zhang, Hongqiang Ren. Mechanisms and modelling of phosphorus solid–liquid transformation during the hydrothermal processing of swine manure. Green Chemistry. 2020; 22 (17):5628-5638.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYaxin Deng; Tao Zhang; James Clark; Tejraj Aminabhavi; Andrea Kruse; Daniel C. W. Tsang; Brajendra K. Sharma; Fusuo Zhang; Hongqiang Ren. 2020. "Mechanisms and modelling of phosphorus solid–liquid transformation during the hydrothermal processing of swine manure." Green Chemistry 22, no. 17: 5628-5638.