Room: Poster Area
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 15:00 - 16:00 CEST
Session code 6CV.6
Biomass conversion into bio-based chemicals and high-value compounds (part 2)
From Lignin to Polyols: Combined Catalytic and Electrochemical Approach for Advanced Biomass Conversion
Short Introductive summary
Lignin represents the largest renewable source of aromatic carbon, yet its structural heterogeneity limits its integration into chemical value chains. This work presents a combined catalytic–electrochemical approach for converting diverse technical lignins into tunable oligomers and bio-based polyols suitable for polyurethane applications. Controlled catalytic depolymerization (hydrogenolysis and oxidation) generates low-molecular-weight substrates enriched in ß–O–4 cleavage products, which are subsequently upgraded in mild electrochemical processes using RuO2 and Cu-based electrodes. These promote selective a-functionalization, ß–O–4 scission, and aldehyde-to-alcohol reduction, achieving faradaic efficiencies above 60%. Comprehensive NMR analysis reveals hydroxyl-rich oligomeric products with functional-group distributions aligned with polyol requirements. The integrated workflow offers a scalable and energy-efficient route to renewable aromatic intermediates, addressing key challenges in lignin valorization and supporting the transition toward circular, bio-based polymer feedstocks.
Presenter
Thomas MÜLLER
Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, GERMANY
Presenter's biography
Prof. T.E. Müller holds the chair Carbon Sources and Conversion at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, where he develops new chemical processes at the interface of the chemical industry and the energy sector. His work centres on renewable feedstocks, CO2 utilisation, and sustainable chemical technologies.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
E. Sabri, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, GERMANY
G.P. Sorrentino, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, GERMANY
O. Tabot, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, GERMANY
U. Apfel, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, GERMANY
R. Stoll, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, GERMANY
Session reference: 6CV.6.20