Selective regression models for the rapid upgrading of raw sugar into 5-HMF bio-fuel additive under a sustainable/reusable system

Abstract

In this research, catalytic upgrading of commercial sucrose (CS) into 5-hydroxymethylfurfuraldehyde (5-HMF) was carried out using a reusable system with a short reaction time. The catalytic behavior for facile production of 5-HMF was systematically described via important factors such as catalyst amount, reaction temperature, reaction time and choline chloride (ChCl) amount. The sulfonic-magnetic-copper carbonized carbon (S@Fe-Cu-C) catalyst was prepared via pyrolysis + sulfonation processes, and also specifically characterized in detail. The catalytic capabilities of S@Fe-Cu-C and ChCl were systematically studied, and the results indicated dramatic efficiency for the selective production of 5-HMF from CS conversion via hydrolysis, isomerization and dehydration. The highest percent yield of 5-HMF product achieved was 86.7% using experimental design. The S@Fe-Cu-C also exhibited the highest turnover rate for the conversion of CS to 5-HMF when compared with various commercial catalysts. Meanwhile, the reusability of the catalyst was investigated for up to 10 cycles with little change in the 5-HMF yield, and S@Fe-Cu-C and ChCl could be recovered in a good way. This research focuses on the catalytic/reusable capabilities for green production of 5-HMF, and could be further expected to have actual applications in renewable industry.