A1 Journal article (refereed)
Conversion of Xylose to Furfural over Lignin-Based Activated Carbon-Supported Iron Catalysts (2020)

Rusanen, A., Kupila, R., Lappalainen, K., Kärkkäinen, J., Hu, T., & Lassi, U. (2020). Conversion of Xylose to Furfural over Lignin-Based Activated Carbon-Supported Iron Catalysts. Catalysts, 10(8), Article 821. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10080821

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Rusanen, Annu; Kupila, Riikka; Lappalainen, Katja; Kärkkäinen, Johanna; Hu, Tao; Lassi, Ulla

Journal or series: Catalysts

eISSN: 2073-4344

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 10

Issue number: 8

Article number: 821

Publisher: MDPI

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10080821

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/71434

Abstract

In this study, conversion of xylose to furfural was studied using lignin-based activated carbon-supported iron catalysts. First, three activated carbon supports were prepared from hydrolysis lignin with different activation methods. The supports were modified with different metal precursors and metal concentrations into five iron catalysts. The prepared catalysts were studied in furfural production from xylose using different reaction temperatures and times. The best results were achieved with a 4 wt% iron-containing catalyst, 5Fe-ACs, which produced a 57% furfural yield, 92% xylose conversion and 65% reaction selectivity at 170 °C in 3 h. The amount of Fe in 5Fe-ACs was only 3.6 µmol and using this amount of homogeneous FeCl3 as a catalyst, reduced the furfural yield, xylose conversion and selectivity. Good catalytic activity of 5Fe-ACs could be associated with iron oxide and hydroxyl groups on the catalyst surface. Based on the recycling experiments, the prepared catalyst needs some improvements to increase its stability but it is a feasible alternative to homogeneous FeCl3.

Keywords: biochemicals; furfural; xylose; catalysis; catalysts

Free keywords: furfural; carbon-supported catalyst; xylose conversion; iron; heterogeneous catalysts

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1