Abstract
In this work, two catalysts were produced to be used in hydrolysis of cellulose reactions to obtain glucose, a raw material used in the production of bioethanol. The heteropoly acid, H3PW12O40 (HPW), reported as strong and thermally stable acid, was supported on activated carbon (AC) in a ratio varying from 1:1 to 2:1 to produce the catalysts AC-HPW (1:1) and AC-HPW (2:1). The catalysts were tested in cellulose hydrolysis evaluating some reaction variables and the results show the remarkable dependence of reaction temperature, amount and acidity of the catalyst. The results indicate the advantage of supporting HPW on carbonaceous material for using as catalyst in hydrolysis of cellulose, showing better conversion rate into sugars comparing with unsupported HPW. Keywords: heteropoly acid; activated carbon support; hydrolysis of cellulose.
Highlights
The production of renewable fuels has grown significantly in recent decades, motivated by environmental, political and economic issues [1,2]
Biomass is essentially composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin [6]
The most abundant polymer on earth, is composed of units of D-glucose linked by glycosidic bonds and functions as the support structure in plants [7]
Summary
The production of renewable fuels has grown significantly in recent decades, motivated by environmental, political and economic issues [1,2]. Second generation ethanol is a renewable source of fuel that is in full development [3].The raw material for production originates from biomass which, after undergoing treatment processes, fermentation and distillation, provides alcohol for fuel [4,5]. Technologies involved in the production processes must follow the variety of feedstock. Biomass is essentially composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin [6]. The most abundant polymer on earth, is composed of units of D-glucose linked by glycosidic bonds and functions as the support structure in plants [7]. When the glycosidic bonds are hydrolyzed, the monomers of glucose become available for enzymatic fermentation [8]
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