Defence Dian S. Santosa: "Bio-based aromatics from lignin"
Promotors: 1st promotor: Prof Erik Heeres, 2nd promotor: Prof Peter Deuss, co-promotor: Dr André Heeres
Abstract: Our modern world depends heavily on fossil-based resources — a dependence that’s becoming increasingly unsustainable. To build a cleaner, more resilient future, we need renewable alternatives, not just for energy but also for the materials we use every day. One promising candidate is lignin, a natural polymer found in wood and other plant matter. It’s also a major by-product of the pulp and paper industry. However, lignin’s complex and irregular molecular structure makes it challenging to use directly as a substitute in chemical processes. To unlock lignin’s potential, scientists are turning to catalytic pyrolysis — a thermochemical process that converts biomass into valuable platform chemicals. This thesis explores how lignin can be transformed into BTX compounds (benzene, toluene, and xylene) through catalytic pyrolysis. The research focuses on understanding how the intrinsic properties of lignin influence this conversion. Two detailed studies are presented:
i) An investigation of different types of lignin derived from various biomass sources and processing methods.
ii) An analysis using model compounds that mimic lignin’s structure to understand how specific chemical groups affect BTX yields.
Finally, the findings are tested using real lignocellulosic biomass fractions obtained by pyrolysis to produce BTX, allowing for a direct comparison with earlier results. Together, these insights bring us closer to transforming lignin — an abundant, renewable resource — into sustainable alternatives to fossil-based materials.