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International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy

Open Access Peer Review International
Open Access

Tungstoborate Heteropolyacid Catalytic Framework for Lignin Liquefaction: Optimization of Product Yield and Comprehensive Component Distribution Analysis

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Dr. Arvind K. Sharma 1 , Prof. Neha R. Mehta 1 ,
4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Engineering Studies, India
4 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Indian Institute of Technological Innovation, India

Abstract

The increasing demand for renewable carbon sources has intensified research into lignin valorization as a sustainable route for producing fuels and value-added chemicals. However, the inherent structural heterogeneity and recalcitrance of lignin present major barriers to efficient depolymerization and controlled product selectivity. This study investigates a tungstoborate heteropolyacid-based catalytic framework for lignin liquefaction, emphasizing optimization of product yield and detailed analysis of product distribution. The catalytic system leverages the strong Brønsted and Lewis acidity of heteropolyacid clusters, enabling efficient cleavage of ether and carbon–carbon linkages in lignin macromolecules under controlled reaction environments. The theoretical foundation of catalyst stability and electronic structure is supported through density functional theory (DFT)-based approaches employing the Projector Augmented-Wave (PAW) method (Blöchl, 1994), ensuring accurate representation of ionic–electronic interactions in complex catalytic systems.

The study integrates insights from heterogeneous acid catalysis, biomass depolymerization pathways, and tungsten-based catalytic systems to construct a mechanistic framework for lignin liquefaction. Key reaction parameters influencing product yield, including temperature, catalyst loading, solvent environment, and reaction time, are systematically analyzed. Furthermore, the distribution of phenolic monomers, oligomers, and residual polymeric fractions is critically evaluated to understand catalytic selectivity. Results indicate that tungstoborate heteropolyacid catalysts significantly enhance lignin conversion efficiency while promoting selective formation of aromatic compounds.

The findings contribute to the development of sustainable catalytic systems for biorefinery applications, offering a scalable pathway for lignin valorization and advancing the understanding of heteropolyacid-mediated biomass transformation mechanisms.

Keywords

Lignin liquefaction, tungstoborate heteropolyacid, biomass valorization, catalytic depolymerization

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