Biomassa como alternativa aos combustíveis fósseis e a sua conversão em produtos com valor agregado empregando fotocatálise

Abstract

Environmental issues related to the use of fossil fuels are a global concern. The exploitation of these resources causes several problems, from leaks that contaminate the water, to the emission of greenhouse gases. In this context, the research for more sustainable alternatives to replace these fossil fuels, like petroleum derivatives, is gaining prominence. Numerous processes in the chemical industry involve the use of biomass, such as the production of sugar, paper, cellulose and soybean oil, for example. The biomass residue can be a renewable source of raw materials similar to petroleum. Catalysis is one of the 12 principles of Green Chemistry and is directly linked to process improvements, such as increasing yield and selectivity, and decreasing reaction time. Photocatalysis is a form of catalysis that has been widely studied, as it represents a green alternative for supplying energy for reactions and also for favoring, under mild conditions, some reactions that are difficult to carry out under conventional heating or by other catalysts. Therefore, in this work, a literature review was carried out on the photocatalytic process for the conversion of biomass into value-added compounds, such as 5-hydroxy-methylfurfural (5-HMF), and levulinic (LA), 3-hydroxypropionic (3-HP), furandicarboxylic and fumaric acids.