Ag nanocomposites in biomass utilization: From tailored catalytic materials to chemical conversions

Biomass is arguably among the most primitive renewable sources for manufacturing materials, chemicals, and fuels, especially in the context of the world’s commitment to peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. Metal catalysis plays a central role in biomass biorefinery, which has received widespread attention over the past few decades. The present review summarizes recent advances of silver nanocomposites in biomass utilization, from tailored biomass-derived Ag catalytic materials to Ag-catalyzed biomass conversions. Rational synthesis of various Ag-based catalytic materials from diverse biomass materials (e.g., wood, cellulose, microorganisms, polysaccharide) and their applications to catalytic reactions (e.g., elementary chemical reaction, photocatalytic reactions, electrocatalytic reaction) are introduced, with an emphasis on the structure-reactivity relationship. Silver nanocomposite-catalyzed biomass conversions (e.g., glycerides, carbohydrates, lignin, and platform molecules) and reaction mechanism are systematically discussed and analyzed. Finally, the challenges and prospects of Ag catalysts in biomass utilization are highlighted.