Depolymerization of Cellulolytic Enzyme Lignin for the Production of Monomeric Phenols over Raney Ni and Acidic Zeolite Catalysts

In the present study, cellulolytic enzyme lignin, which was isolated from enzymatic hydrolysis residues of bamboo, could be efficiently depolymerized into oily products with a yield of over 60 wt % using a range of acidic zeolites and/or Raney Ni catalysts. The degraded products are mainly composed of phenolic monomers, which can be used as versatile chemicals or the precursor for biofuel production. The yields of monophenols were 12.9 wt % and no more than 5.0 wt % when catalyzed by Raney Ni or acidic zeolites, respectively. However, a yield of monophenols as high as 21.0–27.9% was obtained using a Raney Ni combination with acidic zeolite catalysts. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the depolymerization level of the oily fraction catalyzed by a combination of catalysts was more complete in comparison to those catalyzed by an independent catalyst. The results indicated that the catalytic activity of a fully heterogeneous catalyst combination for the depolymerization of cellulolytic enzyme lignin was proven to be superior to that of either component alone.