Electrochemical Conversion for Lignin Valorization

Lignin is the second largest source of renewable aromatics and is widely recognized as a promising source to produce drop-in substitution for conventional aromatics chemicals and high-value fuels. Electrocatalytic valorization of lignin provides a unique pathway to enable the degradation and catalytic transformation under ambient conditions. Selective cleavage of target lignin linkages has been realized through electrocatalyst design, electrochemical parameters control, and reaction parameters modifications. This chapter presents an overview of advances in the electrocatalytic transformation of lignin and its model compounds with an emphasis on electrochemical redox cleavage of common lignin linkages and some of their reaction mechanisms. The potentials and challenges of electrocatalysis are also discussed to outline research opportunities.