Unassisted solar lignin valorisation using a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical cell

Myohwa Ko, Le Thanh Mai Pham, Young Jin Sa, Jinwoo Woo, Trang Vu Thien Nguyen, Jae Hyung Kim, Dongrak Oh, Pankaj Sharma, Jungki Ryu, Tae Joo Shin, Sang Hoon Joo (), Yong Hwan Kim () and Ji-Wook Jang ()
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Myohwa Ko: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Le Thanh Mai Pham: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Young Jin Sa: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Jinwoo Woo: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Trang Vu Thien Nguyen: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Jae Hyung Kim: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Dongrak Oh: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Pankaj Sharma: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Jungki Ryu: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Tae Joo Shin: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Sang Hoon Joo: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Yong Hwan Kim: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Ji-Wook Jang: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Lignin is a major component of lignocellulosic biomass. Although it is highly recalcitrant to break down, it is a very abundant natural source of valuable aromatic carbons. Thus, the effective valorisation of lignin is crucial for realising a sustainable biorefinery chain. Here, we report a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical system for unassisted, selective, and stable lignin valorisation, in which a TiO2 photocatalyst, an atomically dispersed Co-based electrocatalyst, and a biocatalyst (lignin peroxidase isozyme H8, horseradish peroxidase) are integrated, such that each system is separated using Nafion and cellulose membranes. This cell design enables lignin valorisation upon irradiation with sunlight without the need for any additional bias or sacrificial agent and allows the protection of the biocatalyst from enzyme-damaging elements, such as reactive radicals, gas bubbles, and light. The photo-electro-biochemical system is able to catalyse lignin depolymerisation with a 98.7% selectivity and polymerisation with a 73.3% yield using coniferyl alcohol, a lignin monomer.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13022-7

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