Dehydration of Xylose and Xylan to Furfural using P-Zr-SBA-15 Catalyst in Aqueous or Biphasic System

Graphical P-Zr-SBA-15 catalyst with bifunctional acidity was synthesized by introducing Zr 4+ into the mesoporous material SBA-15 structure for intra skeleton modification, and then impregnated with phosphoric acid solution to modify the outer skeleton. The catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity, good thermal stability, and recoverability in the preparation of furfural. A series of bifunctional P-Zr-SBA-15 catalysts with Lewis acid and Brønsted acid sites were prepared by modifying mesoporous material SBA-15 with Zr 4+ and phosphate group, which were used in the conversion of xylose and xylan into furfural. The structure and acidic characteristics of the catalyst were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption desorption, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, NH 3 temperature programmed desorption, and pyridine adsorption infrared spectroscopy. The effects of different process parameters on the catalytic performance of the catalyst were studied. when using the xylose and xylan as substrates, the furfural yield were 80.3 % and 68.8 % under the optimal conditions in the H 2 O (NaCl) /toluene (3/3 mL) biphasic solvent system, respectively, and 52.5 % furfural yield was obtained using xylose as substrate in aqueous system. In addition, the catalyst has good thermal stability and easy recovery in the recycling experiment.