Boosting 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid production via coating carbon over CeO2 in a Pt catalyst

Abstract

Production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) via aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxylmethylfurfural (HMF) is promising but still challenging due to the unsatisfied activity and stability of catalyst. Herein, we prepared a composite of CeO2 coated carbon supporting Pt catalyst and use it in the oxidation of HMF with assistance of Na2CO3. A high FDCA yield of 99.0 % was achieved on 5 %Pt/CeO2 @C catalyst under the optimized condition. To reveal the functions of the CeO2 and carbon coating, control experiments, catalyst characterizations and HMF adsorption experiment were conducted. Combining these results, a possible mechanism is proposed. The synergism between CeO2 and carbon is proposed and the role of CeO2 and carbon coating is discussed. CeO2 is in charge of storage/release electrons to activate oxygen due to its superior redox ability, while carbon coating is responsible for adsorbing HMF and conducting electrons between CeO2 core and carbon surface. In addition, the stability was also evaluated and after 5 recycles, the yield of FDCA did not change obviously.