Solar-driven reforming of lignocellulose to H2 with a CdS/CdOx photocatalyst

David W. Wakerley, Moritz F. Kuehnel, Katherine L. Orchard, Khoa H. Ly, Timothy E. Rosser and Erwin Reisner ()
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David W. Wakerley: Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, University of Cambridge
Moritz F. Kuehnel: Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, University of Cambridge
Katherine L. Orchard: Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, University of Cambridge
Khoa H. Ly: Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, University of Cambridge
Timothy E. Rosser: Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, University of Cambridge
Erwin Reisner: Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, University of Cambridge

Nature Energy, 2017, vol. 2, issue 4, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Lignocellulose is Earth’s most abundant form of biomass and its valorization to H2 is a key objective for the generation of renewable fuels. Solar-driven photocatalytic reforming of lignocellulose to H2 at ambient temperature offers a sustainable route towards this goal, but this reaction is currently limited to noble-metal-containing systems that operate with low activity under ultraviolet light. Here, we report the light-driven photoreforming of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin to H2 using semiconducting cadmium sulfide quantum dots in alkaline aqueous solution. We show that basic conditions cause these dots to become coated with oxide/hydroxide in situ, presenting a strategy to improve their photocatalytic performance. The system operates under visible light, is stable beyond six days and is even able to reform unprocessed lignocellulose, such as wood and paper, under solar irradiation at room temperature, presenting an inexpensive route to drive aqueous proton reduction to H2 through waste biomass oxidation.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2017.21

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