Minimizing Energy Demand in the Conversion of Levulinic Acid to γ‑Valerolactone via Photothermal Catalysis Using Raney Ni
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The valorization of lignocellulosic wastes emerges as a prime strategy to mitigate the global carbon footprint. Among the multiple biomass derivatives, γ-valerolactone is particularly attractive as precursor of high-value chemicals, biofuel, green solvent or perfumery. γ-Valerolactone can be synthesized through a hydrogenation reaction from levulinic acid, obtained from cellulose. However, the high energy requirements of this synthetic pathway have hindered its industrial viability. To drastically reduce the reaction energy requirements, here a novel synthetic strategy, based on solvothermal-photothermal processes using cost-effective Raney-Ni as photothermal catalyst, is proposed. First, the use of hydrogen gas is avoided by selecting isopropanol as a safer and greener H-source. Second, a photothermocatalytic process is used to minimize the reaction temperature and time with respect to conventional reactions. This approach exploits the broadband optical absorption of the Raney®-Ni, due to its highly damped plasmonic behavior, to achieve fast and efficient catalyst heating inside the reactor. The photothermal reaction required less than 2 h and just 132 °C to reach over 95% conversion, thereby drastically reducing the reaction time and energy consumption compared to conventional reactions. Importantly, these conditions granted high catalyst reusability. This solvothermal-photothermal approach could offer a sustainable alternative for the industrial production of γ-valerolactone.
Source: Advanced Science
Institutions: Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia de la Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,730
Funders: CERN, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Centres de Recerca de Catalunya, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, Generalitat de Catalunya, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, NextGenerationEU
Awards: G103507813, G1039312466, G1105844351, G1142737081, G1175115578, G121809054, G1544644610, G1610934229, G1855990336, G2064873908, G2262748287, G2309174360, G2438242660, G2642906521, G2657253881, G2660406951, G288263039, G3005324705, G300979063, G3024450279, G3266014152, G34346518, G3480869486, G354764522, G423104186, G425668148, G430777504, G4388798906, G490073602, G491712853, G5080475149, G5209569390, G5404395142, G5421974903, G554429498, G5706383408, G5789742037, G581353527, G5852091828, G6011688299, G6605876378, G6656126374, G6728930308, G6762955466, G69051668, G7024291787, G7084143925, G7570740823, G7805626310, G7863371703, G8497050386, G8934467058, G897484643, G99296377
OpenAlex ID: W4409559964