Development of catalysts for transformation of biomass-derived compounds

Abstract

National energy security and climate change are the primary reasons to find alternative renewable and reliable sources to fulfill energy demand. The consumption of petroleum based chemicals is increasing the CO2 emission which affects the global climate. Our main aim is to look for similar products derived from renewable sources which can replace the fossil fuels. Despite of being an agricultural waste, biomass is an easily available source of renewable carbon, which does not compete with the food and can be used for producing fuels and chemicals. This thesis is focused on development of heterogeneous catalysts for the transformation of biomass-derived compounds into fuel and value-added chemicals. This thesis contains four chapters. The structure of my thesis work is as follows: The 1st chapter describes the general scenario of global dependency of fossil fuel and the effect of combustion of fossil fuel thereby focusing on the importance of alternative and renewable energy resources which can replace the fossil fuels. It also describes the background of metal based heterogeneous catalyst for the transformation of biomass derived components to value-added chemicals and fuel components. In the 2nd chapter, I have described the experimental procedures for catalyst synthesis and different catalytic reactions. In the 3rd chapter I have discussed about my experimental results. In the last chapter I have concluded my thesis with my major findings. Main goal of this thesis is to develop an active and efficient heterogeneous catalyst which is active under environment benign conditions.