Perovskite Catalysts for Biomass Valorization

Biomass is a widely used renewable energy source, whoseuptakeis growing due to concerns about the impact of anthropogenic fossilfuel combustion on climate change. Waste biomass-derived fuels andchemicals offer a partial solution to reducing global reliance onfossil fuels in pursuit of Net Zero 2050 CO2 emissions,in concert with environmental, health, and economic benefits. Biorefineriesaim to convert biomass resources such as forestry and agriculturalwaste into diverse product streams, akin to the processing of nonrenewablefossil fuels by petrochemical refineries. However, realizing thisambition requires design of hydrothermally stable catalysts with tunableredox properties and acid-base character to promote moleculardeoxygenation or the interconversion of oxygen functionalities. Perovskiteoxides of general formula ABO(3) (where A = rare or alkalineearth cations and B = transition metal cations) exhibit structuralflexibility and diverse surface chemistry; similar to 90% of all metalscan be introduced to perovskite oxides. Here, we review recent developmentsin the use of perovskite oxide catalysts for biomass valorization,focusing on structure-reactivity relationships in hydroprocessing,oxidation, steam reforming, and acid-base reactions. Prospectsand challenges for the broader application of perovskite oxide catalyststo biomass valorization are also highlighted.