We are interested in collaborative research activities focused on the photo- and electrocatalytic valorisation of lignin and wood-derived fractions into high-value platform chemicals, bio-based aromatic monomers, and sustainable polymer precursors (e.g., bisphenol alternatives and functional additives). We offer expertise in designing electrocatalytic and photocatalytic routes that replace conventional thermocatalytic processes with processes powered directly by renewable energy. Our capabilities include continuous-flow photocatalysis, electrocatalytic cell design, reaction mechanism elucidation, product characterization, and the integration of bio-based building blocks into functional materials.
Our track record includes developing continuous-flow heterogenized photocatalytic platforms for converting lignin into bio-vanillin and bioplasticizers (recently published in Nature Communications), as well as novel electrocatalytic routes for producing non-toxic aromatic monomers and epoxy precursors to replace fossil-based bisphenols in high-performance applications.

The Institute of Electrochemistry at the University of Alicante (Spain) is an internationally recognized research center specializing in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and sustainable chemical transformations. The group possesses extensive, long-standing expertise in developing advanced catalytic systems for biomass valorisation, with a strong focus on lignin depolymerization and sustainable chemical synthesis.