Probing Diffusion Dynamics of Cresol Isomers within Brønsted Acidic Zeolites for Biomass Conversion

Lignin is one of the most abundant components of lignocellulosic biomass, representing 10-35% of its mass, and 40% of its energy. It is a widely available, renewable, and inexpensive resource which can be upgraded into useful fuels and chemicals. However, lignin is an aromatic three-dimensional polymer, with a high number of C-O linkages, which limits its transformation through conventional catalysts. Zeolitic cayalysts however are very promising within this area. We propose to study the diffusion dynamics of cresol within a series of zeolites in order to understand the role of diffusion limiting processes within zeolitic cayalysts.