Glucose Isomerization Catalyzed by Attapulgite Modified by MgCl2

The isomerization of glucose catalyzed by attapulgite (ATP) modified by MgCl 2 was investigated. The catalytic performance of ATP on glucose isomerization was significantly enhanced after MgCl 2 modification (Mg-ATP), achieving a fructose yield of 36.5 % and a selectivity of 90.2 % in an aqueous system at 120 °C for 1 h. Combined with the characterization results, it could be concluded that the microstructure of ATP has been changed after MgCl 2 modification, leading to an increase in surface area and the number of weak basic sites, which are beneficial for the glucose isomerization reaction.