Non-thermal plasma electrolysis: A sustainable approach to biomass conversion

The conversion of renewable biomass into high-value-added chemicals represents a promising and sustainable avenue for carbon neutrality. Current biomass utilization strategies face limitations in energy efficiency, material utilization efficiency, and overall cost, which undermine their economic viability and conversion effectiveness. Plasma electrolysis liquefaction (PEL) offers a novel approach by leveraging the precise and rapid delivery of electrical energy to biomass. This method creates locally intensified and highly reactive aqueous environments, enabling efficient biomass conversion under mild conditions. Despite significant advances in this field, no comprehensive reviews have specifically focused on the underlying physics and chemistry of PEL in biomass conversion. This review provides an overview of state-of-the-art plasma-enabled biomass conversion technologies, offering insights into the fundamental physical and chemical processes driving plasma electrolysis. It also explores the mechanisms of plasma-enabled biomass transformation, highlighting the unique advantages of PEL. Finally, the review outlines recommendations and future directions to address the scientific and engineering challenges associated with PEL, paving the way for its broader adoption in sustainable biomass conversion.