Research on synthesis of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from C5/C6 sugars over carbon-based solid acid catalyst in microreactors
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The valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass and its derivatives for the production of fuels, chemicals and materials holds great promises for well addressing the diminishing fossil resources and global climate change. Within this context, furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) have been identified as two very promising platform chemicals derived from C5/C6 sugars. An important research direction is envisaged here in the development of active and stable solid acid catalysts, and the development of the corresponding intensified reactors for a quick catalyst performance optimization and mechanism elucidation as well as for an efficient chemical synthesis of furanics. The topic of the proposed research is centered on the synthesis of furfural and HMF from C5/C6 sugars over carbon-based solid acid catalyst in microreactors. The final research goal is to elucidate the catalytic mechanisms and kinetics of carbon-based solid acid catalysts in the biobased synthesis of furfural (from xylose dehydration) and HMF(from glucose and/or fructose dehydration) via a fast and reliable process screening in microreactors, and subsequently to identify the optimized catalyst system and microreactor operation thereof for obtaining a favorable yield of furanics. The proposed research is intended to realize the scientific cooperation with Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences in China, especially in the area of biobased chemical synthesis. The proposed research combines the expertise of the Chinese group (i.e., Laboratory of Biomass Biochemical Conversion) on the development of carbon-based solid acid catalysts and their uses in biomass conversion, and the expertise of the Dutch group (i.e., Green Chemical Reaction Engineering group at the University of Groningen) on bio-based furanics synthesis and microreactor technology. This cooperation will in enable the generation of innovative research results and promising process technologies, and further allow both groups to establish a long-term partnership in the very near future.
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