Recent progress on catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass to high-grade bio-oil and bio-chemicals

Pyrolysis converts lignocellulosic biomass to bio-oil that can be a precursor to fuel and chemicals for industries. The bio-oil contains high oxygenates fractions that deteriorate the bio-oil fuel properties. Catalysts acted to upgrade the bio-oil through selected bond cleavage reactions such as deoxygenation, cracking, decarbonylation and others reactions. Bulk and supported acid or base catalysts in biomass pyrolysis tailored the production of high-grade bio-oil. The catalytic biomass pyrolysis is an approach that is reliable for producing quality renewable fuel and chemical precursors. This paper elucidated recent studies on catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulose biomass to renewable fuel grade bio-oil and chemicals. The review discussed the various principal activities on biomass characteristics and their potentials in pyrolysis process to produce the high-grade biofuel precursor. The possible processes used in perpetuating the pyrolysis devolatilisation of biomass are also appraised along with catalysts type, and their catalytic activities in the production of renewable bio-oil and bio-chemicals. Therefore, catalyst development for the upgrade of bio-oils from pyrolysis of biomass to renewable fuel and chemicals precursor remains a topical issue.