Photocatalytic electron extraction from biomass and its application

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19032
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 36:Inorganic materials chemistry, energy-related chemistry, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: KOMINAMI Hiroshi 近畿大学, 理工学部, 教授 (00257966)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 光触媒 / グリセリン / 電子源 / 水素化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

From the viewpoint of effective utilization of waste biomass, we focused on glycerin, which is a by-product of soap production (saponification reaction). Glycerin, which is a by-product of the saponification reaction, is produced with a large amount of water and a large amount of energy is required for the recovery and processing. In this study, we developed multiple material conversion reaction systems using TiO2 as a photocatalyst, glycerin as an electron source, and water as a solvent. It was found that glycerin functions effectively as an electron source in photocatalytic reduction reactions in aqueous media, and that it is easier to use as an electron source than other alcohols.

Free Research Field

光触媒

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

けん化反応により副生するグリセリンは含水率が高く，回収または処理，いずれの場合においても膨大なエネルギーを必要とするため，水中に溶存するグリセリンを温和な条件下で有効利用する方法が求められている．今回の研究により、光触媒を用いた物質変換反応におけるグリセリンの電子・水素源としての利用は，有用物質を製造するだけではなく，廃棄物の処理を兼ねることを明らかになった。このことは、ともにエネルギーを消費する物質製造と廃棄物処理において、省エネルギーが同時に達成できることを示している。