The structural analysis of lignin is highly significant in practical terms. We investigated the presence of fused aromatic multirings (FARs) distinct from conventional phenylpropane units in seven lignin types using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) and quantified their relative proportions. Our findings reveal that FARs are present in all lignin samples, primarily composed of 2–6 rings. The relative distribution of FARs in lignin is ranked as follows: 2 rings > 1 ring > 4 rings > 3 rings > 6 rings > 5 rings. The relative contents of these FARs (1–6 rings) exhibit slight variations across all lignin samples. Notably, FARs with 2 rings are the highest at 35 %−53 %, while those with 5 and 6 rings are the lowest, collectively accounting for less than 1.37 %. Moreover, the relative contents of FARs with 1 and 2–6 rings range approximately 24 %−32 % and 68 %−76 %, respectively. Furthermore, the catalytic hydro-depolymerization of lignin was performed and the experimental results demonstrate that the hydro-liquefied oil from lignin contains aromatic compounds with 1–7 rings, and the relative contents of aromatic compounds with 1 ring and 2–7 rings in the oil are 29 % and 71 %, respectively, which is consistent with that of lignin SFS. These findings are also consistent with the existing literature and experimental results. This study offers an explanation for the low yields observed in current depolymerization processes targeting small molecules within lignin and establishes a theoretical foundation for achieving high yields in the preparation of multiring aromatic hydrocarbons.
Hydro-depolymerization presents a promising avenue for transforming plastic waste into high-value hydrocarbons, offering significant potential for value-added recycling. However, a major challenge in this method arises from kinetic limitations due to insufficient hydrogen concentration near the active sites, requiring optimal catalytic performance only at higher hydrogen pressures. In this study, we address this hurdle by developing “hydrogen bubble catalysts” featuring Ru nanoparticles within mesoporous SBA-15 channels (Ru/SBA). The distinctive feature of Ru/SBA catalysts lies in their capacity for physical hydrogen storage and chemically reversible hydrogen spillover, ensuring a timely and ample hydrogen supply. Under identical reaction conditions, the catalytic activity of Ru/SBA surpassed that of Ru/SiO2 (no hydrogen storage capacity) by over 4-fold. This substantial enhancement in catalytic performance provides significant opportunities for near atmospheric pressure hydro-depolymerization of plastic waste.