Comprehending the application of 2D materials in biomass conversion catalysis

The last two decades have witnessed extensive efforts on the application of two dimensional (2D) materials for energy production and storage applications. Subsequently, 2D materials have found application in biomass conversion catalysis to promote a series of reactions such as hydrolysis, isomerization, dehydration, hydrodeoxygenation, hydrogenation, and photoreforming of biomass and biomass-derived molecules. However, not many 2D materials, except graphene and graphene derived catalysts, have been explored for application in biomass conversion. Therefore, the current chapter discusses the catalytic and mechanistic insight of the graphene derived 2D catalysts in biomass conversion catalysis. After this, the applications of transition metal dichalcogenides in acid catalysis and hydrodeoxygenation of biomass-derived compounds have also been discussed. In addition, growing interest in biomass conversion using other 2D catalysts such as nitrogen-doped graphene oxide, carbon nitride, metal–organic frameworks and metal carbides has been discussed with a perspective on future research directions.