Bio2SAF · Biomass-derived Sustainable Fuels by cascade Condensation and hydrodeoxygenation on single atom catalysts

Lignocellulose is the largest renewable carbon source that does not compete with food, or land and can be catalytically converted into fuels. Accessing such high-value chemicals and biofuels is challenging due to the high strength of C-O and C-H bonds, requiring high-energy or multi-reaction steps. Thus, the strategic frontier of the Bio2SAF project aims to design a novel multifunctional single-atom catalyst utilizing densely and selectively functionalized graphene for sustainable fuels by cascade condensation and hydrodeoxygenation on non-noble metal heterogeneous catalysts. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) may effectively perform HDO due to the selective adsorption of reactants on highly exposed active sites due to the lower density of state (DOS) near the Fermi level than the bulk catalysts. Bio2SAF develops in three pillars: development of tandem Oxophilic single atom super doped graphene: SD-G-SACs-I (M1: Ti, Mo, W, Nb, Zr for acidic functions & Mg, Ca for basic catalysis) for condensation. This design aims at the efficient production of longer condensed species from the bio-derived components to cyclic and non-cyclic alkanes in the range of C9-C16 at high selectivity. The second pillar aims at the development of tandem non-noble metal single atom super doped graphene: SD-G-SACs-MII (M2: Ni, Cu, Co, Fe etc.) for hydrodeoxygenation of aldol condensation products. The third pillar focuses on development of graphene derivatives structurally and chemically tailored with dense MI and MII-type SACs for cascade reactions. By levering the know-how and documented expertise of the host institution on graphene chemistry and single metal atom engineering and of the experienced researcher on biomass valorization and catalysis, Bio2SAF will apply and expand these concepts towards sustainable production of fuels from waste biomass. The Bio2SAF project will thus tackle pressing societal needs to develop technologies for decreasing our dependence on depleting fossil fuel reserves