Photo-induced reduction of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using graphitic carbon nitride supported metal catalysts

Abstract

Photo-catalytic reduction of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran (DHMF) under visible light irradiation is achieved by using a platinum catalyst supported on graphitic carbon nitride (Pt/g-C₃N₄). Pt/g-C₃N₄ acts as a multifunctional and tandem catalyst to successively promote the photo-induced water splitting to form hydrogen and the successive activation of the produced hydrogen for HMF reduction, yielding DHMF yield of 6.5% with TOF of 0.457 h⁻¹. This research provides a sustainable and green pathway for biomass conversion using solar radiation as a driving force.