Journal: Bioresource Technology

Author: Dong-Wan Cho, Daniel C.W. Tsang, Sohyun Kim, Eilhann E. Kwon, Gihoon Kwon, Hocheol Song

Abstract: 

Thermochemical conversion of cobalt (Co)-loaded lignin-rich spent coffee grounds (COSCG) was carried out to find the appropriate pyrolytic conditions (atmospheric gas and pyrolytic time) for syngas production (H2 and CO) and fabricate Co-biochar catalyst (CBC) in one step. The use of CO2 as atmospheric gas and 110-min pyrolytic time was optimal for generation of H2 (∼1.6 mol% in non-isothermal pyrolysis for 50 min) and CO (∼4.7 mol% in isothermal pyrolysis for 60 min) during thermochemical process of COSCG. The physicochemical properties of CBC fabricated using optimized pyrolytic conditions for syngas production were scrutinized using various analytical instruments (FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, and XPS). The characterizations exhibited that the catalyst consisted of metallic Co and surface wrinkled carbon layers. As a case study, the catalytic capability of CBC was tested by reducing p-nitrophenol (PNP), and the reaction kinetics of PNP in the presence of CBC was measured from 0.04 to 0.12 s−1.

Keywords: Engineered biochar, Carbon-based catalyst, CO2 utilization, Lignin valorization, Waste biomass recycling, Catalytic reduction

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.09.046