Lignin is one of the most abundant renewable aromatic resources on Earth. As a major component of plant biomass, it contains rich benzene-ring structures that could be transformed into high-value chemicals and fuel molecules. However, lignin is also highly complex and difficult to break down efficiently because its structural units are connected by strong C-O and C-C bonds.
Electrocatalytic hydrogenation offers a promising way to upgrade lignin under mild conditions using electricity instead of high-pressure hydrogen gas. This approach is attractive because it can be coupled with renewable electricity and provides precise control over the reaction process. However, a major challenge remains: during electrochemical reactions, active hydrogen species are often consumed by the competing hydrogen evolution reaction, producing H2 gas rather than participating in lignin conversion. This lowers energy efficiency and limits product formation.
