Electrochemical Biomass Depolymerization: Will Complex Catalysts Trigger High Product Selectivity?

In this perspective, we propose a conversation toward the future of sustainable chemical industry through the lens of electrochemical biomass depolymerization. Despite the chemical industry’s extensive history and established processes, the discovery of new materials remains crucial. This perspective highlights the limitations of current bulk and thin-film electrocatalysts for biomass depolymerization, which have not matched the advancements seen in electrochemical CO2 reduction. We propose a paradigm shift toward the use of complex catalysts, including transition metal borides (TMBs), transition metal nitrides (TMNs), transition metal carbides (TMCs), MXenes, transition metal phosphides (TMPs), nanoparticles, and single atom catalysts (SACs), to enhance product selectivity, i.e., Faradaic efficiency, in biomass depolymerization. By leveraging the dynamic structural features and superior catalytic properties observed in electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction, we aim to achieve high selectivity for specific bond cleavages in biobased feedstocks. This shift promises to unlock new pathways in biomass valorization, underscoring the ongoing need for innovative materials to drive sustainable technologies. The development of such catalysts not only advances our scientific understanding but also holds the potential to shape a truly green future, reaffirming the vital role of solid-state chemistry in the 21st century.