Exploiting Nature's Most Abundant Polymers: Developing New Pathways for the Conversion of Cellulose, Hemicellulose, Lignin and Chitin into Platform Molecules (and Beyond)
Martin G. Banwell, Brett Pollard, Xin Liu, Luke A. Connal
Abstract
The four most prominent forms of biomass are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and chitin. In efforts to develop sustainable sources of platform molecules there has been an increasing focus on examining how these biopolymers could be exploited as feedstocks that support the chemical supply chain, including in the production of fine chemicals. Many different approaches are possible and some of the ones being developed in the authors' laboratories are emphasised.
Topics & Concepts
HemicelluloseChitinLigninCelluloseBiomass (ecology)Polymer sciencePolymerChemistryOrganic chemistryDepolymerizationMoleculeChemical engineeringPulp and paper industryNanotechnologyBiochemical engineeringMaterials scienceChitosanBiologyEngineeringEcologyCatalysis for Biomass ConversionLignin and Wood ChemistryBiofuel production and bioconversion