Selective production of lignin-derived monomers from corn stover by tuning the acid and hydrogenation sites of aluminum phosphate catalysts

This work is dedicated to the selective conversion of lignin. A nickel, tin, and sulfur-doped aluminum phosphate zeolite catalyst was developed for the selective production of lignin-derived monomers. The acidity and hydrogenation sites of this catalyst can be flexibly adjusted, and it exhibits a high yield (26.7%) for monomers with a nearly 68.8% conversion of lignin at 235 °C. The results show that Brønsted acid can increase the conversion of lignin and has a high selectivity for trans-ferulic acid, while Lewis acid and hydrogenation sites can promote the production of monomers with low oxygen content. The excellent stability and simple preparation method provide the possibility for the application of this depolymerization technology. This work could be a reference for the development of lignocellulosic biomass.