Biomass is a useful material and has been used by humans for thousands of years. Biomass is any organic material that has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy.  There are many types of biomass that can be used to produce unique materials, derive chemicals, and power.  This broad diversity of suitable biomass has resulted in increased research and development of technologies. The processes that scientists and engineers use to break down biomass into these products vary based on the type of biomass (or feedstock) and its intended end-use.

Here our goal is to find technologies to produce i) nanocellulose from a variety of means, including from hardwood pulp, from recyclable waste products, bacteria, and sugarcane, and ii) carbon fibers from lignin (extracted from sugarcane), and  iii) catalysts for plastic degradation.  

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I.Nanocellulose

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Key article for further reading:

R.J. Moon et al, Cellulose nanomaterials review: structure, properties and nanocomposites. Chem. Soc. Rev., 2011, 40, 3941–3994.

Y. Habibi et al., Cellulose Nanocrystals: Chemistry, Self-Assembly, and Applications Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 3479–3500.

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II.Carbon fibers from lignin

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Key article for further reading:

J. S. Yuan and co-workers. Quality carbon fibers from fractionated lignin. Green Chem., 2017, 19, 1628.

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