Hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose over carbon catalysts sulfonated via a plasma process in dilute acids

Abstract

Herein, we reported a novel plasma-sulfonation process for carbon materials in dilute sulfuric acid within a few tens of minutes. The total acidic and –SO₃H densities of the sulfonated carbon were 4.4 mmol g⁻¹ and 2.2 mmol g⁻¹, respectively. The glucose selectivity during cellulose hydrolysis using a sulfonated carbon catalyst was 83.9% and retained 98% of its performance after recycling.