Scientists use new technique to recycle plant material into stock chemicals

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new technique for recycling plant material into stock chemicals, or commodity chemicals.

When recycling plant materials, the target is lignin, a complex organic polymer that provides structure to the tissue of vascular plants. Lignin is especially important to the formation of a plant's cell walls. It also lends wood and bark their strength.

When broken down, lignin yields molecular fragments that can be used to create pharmaceuticals, plastics and other household products. Until now, the methods for breaking down and recycling lignin's chemical components were inefficient. The techniques proved low-yield and inconsistent.

Scientists at Michigan hypothesized that an electrochemical approach might offer more precise control and yield more productive results. By combining electricity and blue light to trigger chemical reactions, researchers were able to target the breakdown of one specific chemical bond. The technique produce more predictable results.

Researchers suggest their method -- detailed in the journal ACS Central Science -- could be quickly scaled for industrial use.