原子催化剂解锁植物废弃物隐藏价值

2026年8月25日，曼彻斯特大学化学工程系等机构的研究团队在英国曼彻斯特开发出一种高效的单原子催化剂，能够在相对温和的条件下将植物废弃物中顽固的木质素分解为有价值的化学品1。该团队开发了嵌入氮掺杂碳材料中的单原子钌催化剂，并揭示了催化剂在原子层面的作用机制1。

研究确认，Ru-N4位点是激活氧分子并触发木质素中碳氧和碳碳键断裂的关键结构1。在优化条件下，该催化剂几乎完全转化了模型木质素化合物，生成包括苯酚在内的高产率有价值化学品，且整个过程无需使用刺激性化学品1。

木质素可占农业和林业废弃生物质的35%1。曼彻斯特大学化学工程系讲师Christopher Parlett博士是该研究团队的成员1。相关研究成果已发表于《ACS Catalysis》期刊2026年第16卷第4期（DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.5c08001）1。这一成果有望推动从石油基化学品生产向基于生物质的循环经济转型1。

A research team from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester and other institutions has developed a highly efficient single-atom ruthenium catalyst embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon materials in Manchester, the UK 1. This innovative catalyst can decompose stubborn lignin in plant waste into valuable chemicals under relatively mild conditions 1. The findings, involving Dr. Christopher Parlett, a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, were published in Volume 16, Issue 4 of the journal ACS Catalysis on August 25, 2026, with the DOI 10.1021/acscatal.5c08001 1.

The study reveals the atomic-level mechanism of the catalyst, identifying the Ru-N4 sites as the crucial structures for activating oxygen molecules and triggering the cleavage of carbon-oxygen and carbon-carbon bonds in lignin 1. Under optimized conditions, the catalyst nearly completely converts model lignin compounds, achieving a high yield of valuable chemicals, including phenol, without the need for harsh chemicals 1.

Lignin can account for 35% of agricultural and forestry waste biomass 1. By efficiently breaking down this abundant waste, the new catalytic process holds significant promise for driving the transition from petroleum-based chemical production to a bio-based circular economy 1.