Hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose in aqueous phase with phosphate group modified hydroxy-rich carbon-based catalyst

Abstract

By catalytically converting cellulose using a phosphate-modified hydroxyl-rich carbon-based catalyst (P@HRCBC), which was made by hydrothermal carbonization, glucose was successfully hydrolyzed from cellulose in an aqueous phase system (HTC). The glycosidic bond breaking catalyzed by the -PO3H2 and the cellulose matrix lamellar exfoliation are both enhanced by the excellent adsorption capacity of the exceptionally rich –OH. The activity of cellulase is perfectly imitated. Within 120 min, the glucose output and the conversion of cellulose achieved 96.3% and 47.1%, respectively. The numerous ways that P@HRCBC adsorbs cellulose and cellobiose alter its catalytic ability and make separating glucose easier. After numerous cycles, the conversion of cellulose was maintained at 90.3%, thanks to the remarkable stability of –OH and -PO3H2. P@HRCBC shows an actual "enzymatic" catalytic function that provides a new solution for the efficient green hydrolysis of cellulose into glucose.