PhD Defense of Neethu Thomas

Pr. Thielemans Wim

Rapporteur/trice

EC, Department of Chemical Engineering (CIT), KU Leuven,

Dr. Eddy Dib

Rapporteur/trice

CR, CEMHTI - UPR3079, Orleans, France, CNRS

Pr. Dumeignil Frank

Member/Président

EC,Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UMR 8181), Université de Lille

Pr.  Royer Sebastien

Invited

EC, Université de Dunkerque

Dr. Ciotonea Carmen

Member

EC. Unité de Chimie Environnementale et Interactions sur le Vivant (UCEiV) UR-4492, Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale

Dr. Reddy Manjunatha G N

Thesis supervisor

EC,  Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UMR 8181), Université de Lille

Pr. Lafon Olivier

Thesis Co-supervisor

EC,  Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide (UMR 8181), Université de Lille

structure,lignocellulose,zeolite,biomass,NMR,

The conversion of biomass into chemicals and functional materials is a topic of expanding scope and importance. This thesis focuses on two key biomass valorisation pathways: the heterogeneous catalytic conversion of biomass into chemicals and the direct conversion of lignocellulosic feedstock into functional materials. The first part of the thesis investigates the chemical behaviour and stability of Faujasite (FAU)-type zeolites under post-synthesis ion-exchange, calcination, and hydrothermal treatments relevant to biomass catalysis. The second part of the thesis focuses on lignocellulose-based functional materials for environmental remediation. The boron adsorption properties of microcrystalline cellulose, lignin, and polymeric resin and their boron adsorption kinetics, significant for developing inexpensive alternatives for boron capture, are examined. In addition, a dual cross-linking strategy combining covalent and ionic cross linking was introduced to develop stable cellulose hydrogels. These hydrogels exhibit excellent stability, pH responsiveness, and ion-exchange properties. In so doing, this thesis demonstrates multiscale characterization techniques, including solid-state NMR spectroscopy at high magnetic fields (up to 28.8 T) for understanding the structural aspects of materials involved in biomass vaporization and bio-derived functional materials.