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.