0000000000113231

AUTHOR

T. (Tao) Hu

Production of ethyl lactate by activated carbon-supported Sn and Zn oxide catalysts utilizing lignocellulosic side streams

In this study, activated carbon-supported Sn and Zn oxide catalysts were prepared from hydrolysis lignin and used for the conversion of model solutions of trioses, hexoses, and lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates to ethyl lactate. Both catalysts, SnO2@AC and ZnO@AC, were able to produce ethyl lactate in high yields. SnO2@AC was a more active and selective catalyst in triose (dihydroxyacetone) conversion, providing 99% yield to ethyl lactate. ZnO@AC, by contrast, was more selective in glucose and hydrolysate conversion, with a yield of 60% and 85%, respectively. The ethyl lactate yields were significantly higher than those from the optimized model solution experiments when using ZnO@AC cata…

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Characterization of Cobalt Catalysts on Biomass-Derived Carbon Supports

Cobalt catalysts are known to have a high activity and selectivity in the Fischer–Tropsch reaction converting synthesis gas to higher hydrocarbons (C5+). These catalysts have been supported by different porous materials. Porous carbon materials like activated carbon (AC) have physical and chemical surface properties that affect the preparation of supported metal catalysts and can easily be tailored. In this study, AC was produced by carbonization and steam activation of lignin, a waste fraction from the Kraft pulping process. A series of Co/AC-catalysts was produced and characterized by several techniques. According to the results, tailored properties (high surface area, mesoporosity) were …

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Lignin-based activated carbon-supported metal oxide catalysts in lactic acid production from glucose

In this study, heterogeneous biomass-based activated carbon-supported metal oxide catalysts were prepared and tested for lactic acid production from glucose in aqueous solution. Activated carbons were produced from hydrolysis lignin by chemical (ZnCl2) or steam activation and modified with a nitric acid treatment and Sn, Al, and Cr chlorides to obtain carbon-based metal oxide catalysts. The modification of the carbon support by nitric acid treatment together with Sn and Al oxides led to an increase in lactic acid yield. The highest lactic acid yield (42%) was obtained after 20 minutes at 180 °C with the Sn/Al (5/2.5 wt.%) catalyst on steam-activated carbon treated by nitric acid. Reusabilit…

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