Abstract
Alumina-supported erbium oxide catalysts with various compositions were prepared and characterized by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, N2 physical adsorption measurements, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption measurements. The catalysts were evaluated for the conversion of cellulose to lactic acid in aqueous solution under inert atmosphere. Er2O3/Al2O3 with 13.9 % Er loading was found to exhibit the highest activity for the conversion of cellulose to lactic acid. Lactic acid yields as high as 45.8 % were obtained when reacting 0.2 g cellulose, 0.05 g catalyst, and 30 mL water at 240 °C under 2 MPa N2 for 3 h. The lactic acid yield decreased gradually with recycling of the catalyst. The decrease in catalytic activity during continuous runs was mainly attributed to the leaching of active erbium species.
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