Enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (EHL) obtained as a waste from the 2G-bioethanol process is currently underutilized by burning for energy. Its conversion to biofuels contributes to the drive towards sustainable fuels and improve the biorefinery economy. Studies on effective catalytic conversion of different types of lignin to biofuels are hampered by the complex nature of the lignin molecule and complexity on the sources of lignin.

This thesis aims to design catalysts to completely transform EHL via direct catalytic solvolysis, using a fuel compatible solvent to biofuels. Two important reactions, hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) to remove O functionalities and C-C coupling alkylation are studied for EHL depolymerisation and product upgrade. Catalysts were prepared by impregnation and deposition methods, their activities tested and compared with some commercially obtained catalysts. Catalyst characterization was used to study the structures and functionalities of the prepared catalysts and propose catalyst active species.

For HDO, highest total monomer yield of 16.6 wt% was obtained for the bimetallic Pd2.5IMNiDP/SiO2 catalyst. Catalyst characterization showed well dispersed nanosized metal particles for this catalyst. The metal particles are proposed as the active sites, dissociating molecular hydrogen to hydrogen radicals which break the C-O bonds.

In the alkylation part, highest guaiacol conversion 99.6% and 2,6-ditertbutyl-4-ethylphenol yield of 54.8% were obtained with a 10%WO3/HY-500 catalyst. W5+ and W4+ were present in the used catalyst but not in the fresh catalyst which showed only W6+. W5+ is proposed as the active site, as W6+ is reduced in situ by hydrogen produced from alcohol conversion to olefin.