Researchers developed a modified nickel-based metal-organic framework (MOF) catalyst that converts glucose and raw biomass into lactic acid, a key precursor for biodegradable plastics. By incorporating salicylic acid to create structural defects, the catalyst achieved a 68.7% lactic acid yield from dilute glucose and 62.8% from corn cobs at 170°C in four hours. The catalyst remained active over five cycles, though some loss tied to oxygen vacancy decline. Published in Sustainable Carbon Materials, the study demonstrates that linker engineering can tune defect chemistry in MOFs to improve renewable carbohydrate conversion. While results are promising, challenges remain with resistant feedstocks like pine needles and with intermediate conversion steps. For carbon markets, this research supports bio-based chemical production, but commercial viability depends on energy costs and feedstock logistics.
