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Solid Acid Catalysts for Cellulose Hydrolysis: Structural Investigations Into the Thermal Stability and Catalytic Mechanism of Chloromethyl Polystyrene Based Solid Acid Catalysts

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(Chloromethyl)polystyrene (CMP) and its sulfonated derivates are popular catalysts for biomass conversion to biofuels and other value-added chemicals. These catalysts have been reported to mechanistically hydrolyze cellulose in a similar fashion to cellulase enzymes. This work, however, demonstrates that the solid acid actually leaches chloride anions over time, forming aqueous hydrochloric acid in-situ. Kinetic modeling in conjunction with experimental hydrolysis data suggests the liquid acid catalyzes the hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose and other products, without any distinctive effect from the solid acid polymer beads.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
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  • E-project-042518-101814
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  • 2018
Date created
  • 2018-04-25
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