Visible‐Light‐Driven Lignin Valorization into Value‐Added Chemicals and Sustainable Hydrogen Using Zn_1‐<i>x</i>Cd_<i>x</i>S Solid Solutions as Photocatalyst

Abstract

Abstract Biomass photorefinery for simultaneous production of value‐added chemicals and sustainable hydrogen holds promising perspective to achieve a negative carbon economy. However, insight into lignin valorization by the photorefinery approach is still lacking due to the extremely complex structure and component. In this work, we design a series of Zn 1‐ x Cd x S solid solutions as photocatalyst to reveal the photocatalytic mechanism for model component conversion. Bandgap engineering by changing the Zn/Cd ratio is proven to efficiently regulate the reaction pathway. Specifically, Zn 0.75 Cd 0.25 S (ZCS25) presented the best performance for hydrogen evolution (610±105 μmol h −1 g cat. −1 ) while Zn 0.5 Cd 0.5 S (ZCS50) demonstrated the best substrate conversion to monophenolic compounds. Besides, the well‐designed Zn 1‐x Cd x S solid solutions also show the ability to produce hydrogen and eliminate a methoxy group from real lignin by the photorefinery approach. This present work demonstrates a good example of biomass valorization by careful design of photocatalysts.