Kyoto University · Engineering
Professor Haruo Kawamoto's research lab specializes in the fundamental chemistry of biomass pyrolysis and gasification, focusing on the molecular-level mechanisms governing the thermal decomposition of lignin and cellulose. The lab investigates reaction pathways, bond cleavage mechanisms, and product selectivity to enable clean and efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials. Key research directions include the pyrolysis of model compounds such as levoglucosan and lignin dimers/trimers to understand primary and secondary reactions under controlled conditions. The lab employs experimental and theoretical approaches to elucidate the role of functional groups and substituents in directing reaction mechanisms, such as heterolytic vs. homolytic cleavage of ether linkages.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Lignin, an aromatic constituent of woody biomass, is a potential renewable aromatic feedstock for a sustainable future carbon economy. Pyrolysis-based technologies, such as fast pyrolysis and gasification, are promising methods for converting lignin into biochemicals, biomaterials, and biofuels. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in lignin pyrolysis/gasification would guide the development of the controlled pyrolysis and gasification systems to overcome issues with low p
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