Themed collection Exploring the Frontiers: Unveiling New Horizons in Carbon Efficient Biomass Utilization
A comparative review on biohydrogen and biomethane production from biowaste through photo-fermentation
Green Chem., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC06079B
Biodegradable polymers: from synthesis methods to applications of lignin-graft-polyester
Biodegradable lignin-based grafted polyesters have wide range of applications.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10774-10803
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03558E
Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation and C–C coupling of lignin and its derivatives into renewable jet-fuel-range cycloalkanes
This review provides an in-depth understanding of the synthesis pathways and corresponding catalytic systems for the production of jet-fuel-range cycloalkanes from lignin and its derivatives via catalytic hydrodeoxygenation and C–C coupling.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 11406-11426
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02051K
Tapping into the natural aromatic potential of microbial lignin valorization towards aromatic fine chemicals
Microbial lignin valorization unleashes the inherent aromatic potential of lignin to maximize the production of aromatic fine chemicals.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 11378-11405
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03567D
Rhenium-based catalysts for biomass conversion
This review highlights the advancements in homogeneous and heterogeneous Re-based catalysts for the conversion of biomass into value-added chemicals.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10661-10686
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02925A
Carbon negative biochar systems contribute to sustainable urban green infrastructure: a critical review
Biochar from biomass and waste is a valuable component of various urban green infrastructures, including green roofs, permeable pavements, green walls, and green parking lots.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10634-10660
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03071K
Efficient production of citric acid from lignocellulose hydrolysate by metabolically engineered Yarrowia lipolytica
Engineering Yarrowia lipolytica for sustainably synthesizing citric acid from undetoxified lignocellulosic hydrolysate.
Green Chem., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC05521G
Construction and optimization of efficient glucose–xylose co-fermenting yeast Yarrowia lipolytica for green and sustainable succinic acid production from lignocellulosic biomass
Genetic modification of Y. lipolytica for the production of succinic acid from undetoxified lignocellulosic hydrolysate.
Green Chem., 2025,27, 450-463
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC04189E
Sustainable regeneration of cathode active materials from spent lithium-ion batteries by repurposing waste coffee powder
For the sustainable recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), utilizing renewable materials and minimizing energy consumption are essential. A biomass-based, energy-efficient method was adopted to recover lithium and cobalt from spent LIBs.
Green Chem., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC05048G
Constructing a chemoenzymatic strategy for enhancing the efficiency of selectively transforming 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into furan carboxylic acids
An efficient NFCM-mediated chemoenzymatic system was constructed for selectively transforming HMF into furan carboxylic acids.
Green Chem., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC04735D
Deep eutectic solvent-based microextraction system for simultaneous lignocellulose fractionation and furfural production
Green Chem., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02874K
Valorization of pomegranate waste through green solvent extraction and biochar production: a zero-waste biorefinery approach
This study presents a zero-waste biorefinery for pomegranate waste, extracting anthocyanins and ellagic acid with green solvents and converting leftovers to biochar.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 11695-11712
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03707C
Solid–liquid separation of lignocellulosic sugars from biomass by rotating ceramic disc filtration
A simple, low energy, and productive filtration method to clarify biomass hydrolysate to enable biochemical and thermochemical pathways to biofuels and biochemicals.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 11587-11599
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC04533E
Thymol: nature's solvent for sustainable hollow fiber fabrication
Sustainable separation processes like membrane technology are crucial for chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Membrane fabrication needs green materials.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 11576-11586
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC01961J
Economic and environmental sustainability of bio-based HMF production and recovery from lignocellulosic biomass
Transforming waste stream of biorefinery into high-value bioproducts.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 11340-11350
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC04270K
Robust biocatalyst for the green continuous flow synthesis of esters from biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol and C8–C18 carboxylic acids
A sustainable method suitable for industrial-scale continuous flow synthesis of esters from biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol (FA) and C8–C18 carboxylic acids was developed.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10829-10841
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03821E
Improving the expression of taxadiene synthase to enhance the titer of taxadiene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Improve the synthesis of taxadiene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10604-10616
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03079F
Improving both activity and stability for direct conversion of cellulose to ethanol by decorating Pt/WOx with mononuclear NbOx
The catalytic activity and hydrothermal stability of Pt/WOx are significantly improved by decoration with a mononuclear NbOx promoter affording 25.90 gethanol gPt−1 h−1 in the one-pot conversion of cellulose.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10168-10176
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03390F
Preparation of methyl ethyl ketone from biomass-derived levulinic acid using a metal-free photocatalytic system and life cycle assessment study
We report a metal-free photocatalytic method for producing MEK from LA using acridine photosensitizers and thiophenols, achieving high yield and selectivity. This process has mild conditions and reduces carbon emissions compared to other methods.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10290-10298
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02798A
3D structure-functional design of a biomass-derived photocatalyst for antimicrobial efficacy and chemical degradation under ambient conditions
A 3D structural lignin-based photocatalyst achieves high PFAS degradation and rapid pathogen sterilization efficiency under ambient conditions.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10139-10151
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC01246A
Efficient and selective extraction of oleanolic acid from grape pomace with dimethyl carbonate
A selective and environmentally friendly method for the extraction of oleanolic acid from grape pomace using bio-based and non-toxic dimethyl carbonate.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10177-10188
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03624G
Bioprocess development and scale-up for cis,cis-muconic acid production from glucose and xylose by Pseudomonas putida
Bioprocess development enhanced muconate titers and productivities from mixed sugars, leading to reduced production costs and a significant decrease in GHG emissions compared to fossil carbon-based adipic acid production. Created with BioRender.com.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10152-10167
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03424D
Unraveling the secrets of harnessing a surfactant-modified strategy in organosolv pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for efficient fermentable sugar production
Alkaline-catalyzed organosolv pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass affords excellent delignification, yielding a holocellulose-rich substrate for fermentable sugar production.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10123-10138
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02775B
Path2Green: introducing 12 green extraction principles and a novel metric for assessing sustainability in biomass valorization
We propose an innovative approach to address the pressing need for efficient and transparent evaluation techniques to assess extraction processes’ sustainability.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10087-10106
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02512A
Phytic acid derivatized lignin as a thermally stable and flame retardant material
A phosphorus-containing flame retardant was produced via reacting phytic acid and kraft lignin in water.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10070-10086
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC03169E
Green synthesis of sodium pyrithione salt-activated biomass-derived carbon for aqueous zinc-ion capacitors
An alternative green and sustainable route is proposed to prepare doped activated carbons with large surface areas, rich dopants, and porous structures via co-pyrolysis of lignin or hemi-lignin in the presence of sodium pyrithione.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 10196-10204
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02429J
Efficient hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived phenolic compounds under acid-free conditions over carbon-supported NiMo catalysts
This work proposes a novel acid-free NixMoyN/C catalyst for the hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived phenolic compounds with high reaction efficiency and stability.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 9330-9345
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02298J
Molecular origins of enhanced bioproduct properties by pretreatment of agricultural residues with deep eutectic solvents
The present work provides a multiscale picture of the effect of a promising DES on biomass pretreatment by combining computational and experimental approaches.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 9142-9155
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC01877J
Novel diacid–superbase ionic liquids for efficient dissolution of cellulose and simultaneous preparation of multifunctional cellulose materials
Green and sustainable cellulose-based materials are of increasing interest to researchers due to the energy crisis and environmental pollution.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 8794-8807
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC02083A
Low-chromophore lignin isolation from natural biomass with polyol-based deep eutectic solvents
Lignocellulose fractionation using a polyhydric-alcohol-based deep eutectic solvent to directly obtain low-chromophore lignin for sunscreen production and digestible solid for outputting fermentable sugars.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 8298-8314
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC01824A
Green synthesis of lactic acid and carbon dots using food waste and seashell waste
Novel utilisation of seashell waste in lactic acid fermentation, showcasing fluorescent carbon quantum dots synthesised from cell biomass.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 8282-8297
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC01890G
Achieving high productivity of 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid from aqueous aromatic streams with Novosphingobium aromaticivorans
Enhancing the production of biochemicals from lignocellulosic biomass is one potential way to decrease society's dependence on fossil fuels.
Green Chem., 2024,26, 7997-8009
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC01975J
About this collection
Lignocellulosic biomass serves as a vital storehouse of energy. The utilization of this abundant natural resource has a transformative role in the advancement of sustainable development and human civilization. Biomass conversion employs environmentally friendly techniques to convert renewable bioresources into valuable products such as biofuels, chemicals, and materials, and it contributes significantly to the transition towards bio-economy, green chemistry, and carbon neutrality. This themed collection showcases cutting-edge research, advancements, and innovations in carbon efficient biomass utilization, with a particular focus on uncovering new possibilities and opportunities in this field. It also includes innovative biotechnical solutions that can effectively transform biomass for a wide range of applications, while addressing the current challenges and prospects in the field of carbon efficient biomass utilization. This collection includes contributions in research in various fields such as green chemistry, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, enzyme engineering, lignin valorization, biorefineries, sustainability, and environmental studies, among others.
Guest Edited by: Zhi-Hua Liu (Tianjin University), Bing-Zhi Li (Tianjin University), Joshua Yuan (Washington University in St. Louis), James Clark (University of York), Vânia Zuin Zeidler (Leuphana Universitat Luneburg), Lieve Laurens (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), Arthur Ragauskas (The University of Tennessee Knoxville), Joao Coutinho (CICECO-Universidade de Aveiro) and Buxing Han (Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences).