Tailoring Sn-SBA-15 properties for catalytic isomerization of glucose

Abstract

Sn-SBA-15 was prepared by different methods seeking to tailor its catalytic properties. The effect of the SBA-15 synthesis pH and Sn loading in the Sn-SBA-15 structure, porosity, and type of generated Sn species on catalyst activity towards glucose isomerization was systematically evaluated. Increasing the acid concentration and the Sn loading led to a bimodal distribution of the unit cell parameter. Surface area, pore volume, and microporosity formation was not significantly affected by the synthesis parameter, while the distribution of the large mesopores was. Indeed, the catalysts with broad size distribution presented lower TON for fructose formation compared to the ones with narrow distribution. The catalytic activity was also shown to be dependent on the nature of the solvent, and initial TOF for fructose formation increased as methanol < THF < GVL.