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Decoupled temperature and pressure hydrothermal synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres from cellulose

Author

Listed:
  • Shijie Yu

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Xinyue Dong

    (Westlake University
    Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study)

  • Peng Zhao

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Zhicheng Luo

    (Eindhoven University of Technology, Het Kranenveld 14, Helix, STW 3.48)

  • Zhuohua Sun

    (Beijing Forestry University)

  • Xiaoxiao Yang

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Qinghai Li

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Lei Wang

    (Westlake University
    Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study)

  • Yanguo Zhang

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Hui Zhou

    (Tsinghua University
    Tsinghua University)

Abstract

The temperature and pressure of the hydrothermal process occurring in a batch reactor are typically coupled. Herein, we develop a decoupled temperature and pressure hydrothermal system that can heat the cellulose at a constant pressure, thus lowering the degradation temperature of cellulose significantly and enabling the fast production of carbon sub-micron spheres. Carbon sub-micron spheres can be produced without any isothermal time, much faster compared to the conventional hydrothermal process. High-pressure water can help to cleave the hydrogen bonds in cellulose and facilitate dehydration reactions, thus promoting cellulose carbonization at low temperatures. A life cycle assessment based on a conceptual biorefinery design reveals that this technology leads to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions when hydrochar replacing fuel or used for soil amendment. Overall, the decoupled temperature and pressure hydrothermal treatment in this study provides a promising method to produce sustainable carbon materials from cellulose with a carbon-negative effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Shijie Yu & Xinyue Dong & Peng Zhao & Zhicheng Luo & Zhuohua Sun & Xiaoxiao Yang & Qinghai Li & Lei Wang & Yanguo Zhang & Hui Zhou, 2022. "Decoupled temperature and pressure hydrothermal synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres from cellulose," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31352-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31352-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Michael Heberl & Christian Withelm & Anja Kaul & Daniel Rank & Michael Sterner, 2024. "Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Biological Methanation in a Trickle-Bed Pilot Plant and a Potential Scale-Up," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-16, May.
    4. Zhao, Peng & Yu, Shijie & Li, Qinghai & Zhang, Yanguo & Zhou, Hui, 2024. "Understanding heavy metal in the conversion of biomass model component: Migration and transformation characteristics of Cu during hydrothermal carbonization of cellulose," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
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    6. Liu, Quan & Zhang, Guanyu & Kong, Ge & Liu, Mingyang & Cao, Tianqi & Guo, Zhirui & Zhang, Xuesong & Han, Lujia, 2023. "Valorizing manure waste into green coal-like hydrochar: Parameters study, physicochemical characteristics, combustion behaviors and kinetics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).

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