Interfacial nanoarchitectonics for enhanced photo-assisted thermo-catalytic conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Photo-assisted thermo-catalytic conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is one of the most promising ways for channeling solar energy. Photo-assisted thermo-catalytic conversion of glucose and HMF yield were improved with SnO 2 /Cr-MOFs/Cr(OH) 3 catalysts under visible light irradiation at 135 ℃-165 ℃ nitrogen atmosphere. SnO 2 /Cr-MOFs/Cr(OH) 3 afforded relatively high Lewis acidity and Brønsted acidity, which was beneficial for thermo-catalytic conversion of glucose. The light and the interface between SnO 2 and Cr-MOFs/Cr(OH) 3 assistantly promoted the HMF formation. The photo-generated holes (h + ) under light irradiation was the driving force for the formation of “free” protons from water and carboxylic acid in Cr-MOFs, which acted as Brønsted acid sites to promote HMF formation. With 576 mg glucose as the substrate and DMSO as the solvent, 92 % glucose conversion with 43.2 % HMF yield was achieved at 150 ℃ for 2 h under nitrogen atmosphere and 500 W Xe lamp irradiation. The results demonstrate the promise of photo-assisted thermo-catalytic conversion of glucose in the future.