Investigation of syhenthesis and characterization of montmorillonite supported bimetallic catalysts and effect on the conversion of C5-C6 sugars

In this study, catalytic production of platform chemicals such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, levulinic acid and formic acid from glucose and xylose with bimetallic catalysts was investigated. First, 5% Al, Ni, Cu, Cr, Fe, Zn transition metals loaded on the montmorillonite (MMT) support were synthesized and their production yields were compared for the determination of bimetallic catalysts. While the highest product yields were obtained with 5% Cr/MMT and the lowest yield with 5% Fe/MMT catalyst. Then, Cr-bimetallic catalysts were synthesized with 5% Al, Ni, Cu, Fe transition metals. Among these bimetallic catalysts, the highest 5-HMF and furfural yields were obtained with Al-Cr/MMT, and Fe-Cr/MMT, respectively. Subsequently, Fe-bimetallics were synthesized with 5% Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni transition metals. Cr-Fe/MMT and Cu-Fe/MMT catalysts were resulted highest 5-HMF and furfural yields respectively. Furthermore, Ni-Cu/MMT bimetallic catalysts were synthesized with the ratio of 1% and 5% of bimetals. The highest 5-HMF (22.02%) and furfural (38.74%) yields were achieved with 1%Ni-5%Cu/MMT and 5%Ni-1%Cu/MMT, respectively. All catalysts synthesized were characterized by BET, XRD and NH3-TPD. Hydrolysis fluid obtained from biomass and biomass were also studied with 1%Ni-5%Cu/MMT catalyst. Finally, solvent effect on the catalytic conversion, and reusability of the catalysts were investigated.