One pot direct catalytic conversion of cellulose to C3 and C4 hydrocarbons using Pt/H-USY zeolite catalyst at low temperature

Abstract

One-pot direct catalytic conversion of cellulose to light hydrocarbon at low temperature (443K) in the presence of Pt–zeolite catalysts and water was investigated. Results revealed that Pt supported on H+-form ultra stable Y-type (H-USY) zeolite catalyst (Pt/H-USY) enabled direct conversion of cellulose into C3 and C4 hydrocarbons without hydrogen and other expensive reagents. This production trend is attributable to the bifunctional catalysis of supported Pt and acid site in H-USY zeolite, which has a large pore system and effective acidity. Results revealed that the pre-treatment of catalyst was important for selective olefin production. Air-oxidized Pt/H-USY catalyst showed higher olefin selectivity than the catalyst reduced with hydrogen. The Pt/H-USY catalysts showed high stability under the reaction condition. Results suggest that C5 sugars were the reaction intermediate for the C3 hydrocarbons, and C6 sugars were the intermediate for C4 hydrocarbon formation from cellulose over Pt/H-USY catalysts.