Green and Sustainable Approaches for Conversion and Utilisation of Cellulose

This study builds on the biorefinery concept of converting waste biomass into chemicals and materials analogous to current petroleum refinery. Novel approaches using sustainable and energy efficient methods such as microwave heating and ultrasound treatment are explored for the conversion of biomass into useful chemicals, as compared to conventional methods which are harsher. In this study, chemical production yields comparable to the literature using greener and milder reaction conditions were demonstrated. Apart from the chemical reactions, the purification of the product chemicals and the conversion of biomass into useful materials were also studied, all in compliance with the biorefinery concept.