(205i) Polymeric Solid Acid Catalysts for Efficient Hydromethyfurfural and Levulinic Acid Production from Biomass Feedstock
AIChE Annual Meeting
2016
2016 AIChE Annual Meeting
Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division
Catalytic Processing of Fossil and Biorenewable Feedstocks III: Sugars, Furan Derivatives, and Related
Monday, November 14, 2016 - 5:15pm to 5:30pm
Polymeric solid acid catalysts were synthesized and optimized for the production of reducing sugars, HMF and levulinic acid from biomass feed stock. The catalysts consist of a poly(sulfonic) acid chain and a poly(ionic liquid) chain grafted on a solid substrate. Crystalline cellulose as well as dilute acid, base and steam pretreated biomass samples from National Renewable Energy Laboratory were investigated with our novel tunable catalysts in ionic liquid solvent and ionic liquid/water, ionic liquid/GVL solvent mixtures. Over 95% of total reducing sugar (TRS), over 70% HMF and over 50% levulinic acid yields were obtained from pure cellulose samples at 105oC, 135oC and 155oC respectively. For the pretreated biomass samples, different yields were obtainded from three different pretreatment methods. Yields of over 80% TRS, over 60% HMF/Furfural, and over 40% levulinic acid were achieved. GVL cosolvent was found to facilitate the conversion process whereas the opposite is true for water. Our results demonstrate the high catalytic activity and versatility of these unique polymeric acid catalysts.