Magnetic core–shell Fe3O4@C-SO3H nanoparticle catalyst for hydrolysis of cellulose

• Published in: Cellulose (London) Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 127 - 134
• Main Authors: Zhang, Changbin, Wang, Huayu, Liu, Fudong, Wang, Lian, He, Hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.02.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bioorganic Chemistry; Carbon; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Catalytic converters; Cellulose; Ceramics; Chemical activity; Chemistry; Composites; Conversion; Core making; Glass; Hydrolysis; Iron oxides; Magnetic cores; Nanoparticles; Natural Materials; Organic Chemistry; Original Paper; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Selectivity; Sustainable Development; Hydrolysis; Sulfonation; Carbon based solid acid; Biomass; Magnetic catalyst
• ISSN: 0969-0239; 1572-882X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10570-012-9839-5

Catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose over solid acid catalysts is one of efficient pathways for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals. High catalytic activity and easy separation from reaction media are two important factors for evaluating the performance of the solid acid catalysts for the cellulose hydrolysis. In this study, we report a core–shell Fe 3 O 4 @C-SO 3 H nanoparticle with a magnetic Fe 3 O 4 core encapsulated in a sulfonated carbon shell, as recyclable catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose. The sulfonated carbon shell shows a good activity, presenting 48.6 % cellulose conversion with 52.1 % glucose selectivity under the moderate conditions of 140 °C after 12 h reaction. Importantly, the magnetic Fe 3 O 4 core makes the catalysts easily separated from reaction mixtures by using the externally applied magnetic field. In addition, the Fe 3 O 4 @C-SO 3 H nanoparticle catalyst shows a high stability in the activity and magnetization during recycling tests, suggesting it a promising solid acid catalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulose.