Photoelectrocatalytic Pathway for the Preparation of Power-Effective Aviation Fuel Precursors from Lignin

Abstract

The conversion of lignin into aviation fuel offers a promising, energy-efficient route for sustainable jet fuel production. The key to this transformation lies in the selective hydrogenation of lignin's aromatic rings, deoxygenation of its oxygen-containing and phenolic hydroxyl groups, and the selective cleavage of bonds between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Using a phosphorus-doped CoMn-P catalyst, electrochemical hydrogenation and deoxygenation of lignin, assisted by light, can reduce energy consumption by ≈20%, resulting in a significant yield of aromatic hydrocarbons and cycloalkanes. Phosphorus doping modulates the catalyst's electronic structure, enhancing the adsorption of β─O─4 bonds, phenolic hydroxyl groups, and methoxy groups, thereby enabling selective hydrogenation and deoxygenation with a low reaction energy barrier. This approach provides an innovative and energy-efficient pathway for directly converting lignin into hydrocarbon mixtures suitable for aviation fuel.