URBANREC

Cellulose represents the major component of the abundant and inedible lignocellulosic biomass on earth. The valorization of cellulose into liquid biofuels and high value-added bio-based chemicals has drawn intensive attentions in recent years. However, because of the rigid structure of crystalline cellulose, the breakage of ?-1,4-glycosidic bonds, the first step of cellulosic biomass utilization is still a critical challenge under mild conditions. Herein, we report the cleavage of ?-1,4-glycosidic bonds of cellobiose on Ir/HY catalyst with high activity and high selectivity (>99%) under visible light illumination at temperature not exceeding 100?°C. We found that the hydrolysis of cellobiose under mild condition is mainly owing to a cooperation effect between the Ir nanoparticles as the plasmonic photothermal source and acid catalysis of HY zeolite. This work provides a distinctive, sustainable pathway to efficiently convert cellulose to chemicals driven by solar energy under mild conditions.

» Author: Bao Zhang, Jun Li, Lin Guo, Zhenpan Chen, Can Li

» Reference: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.06.041

» Publication Date: 05/12/2018

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