Continuous cellobiose hydrolysis over lamellar aluminosilicates-unveiling [al]-magadiite water-tolerant acid sites

Abstract

Cellobiose hydrolysis was investigated over acidlayered solids H-[Al]-magadiite in a continuously operated fixed bed flow reactor. Catalysts containing different Si/Al molar ratios were synthesized to tune distinct acidity. The incorporation of Al into the silicate framework created indeed active acid sites for cellobiose hydrolysis reaction. The catalyst with the highest Al content (Si/Al = 17) was the most active, displaying a constant cellobiose conversion of ∼80%. Glucose was the main product observed; however, fructose and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were also detected. The results indicated that H-[Al]-magadiite catalysts have Lewis acid sites that are active even in the presence of water. Characterization analysis performed on catalysts after the reaction showed that the [Al]-magadiite structure was maintained and no Al leaching was observed.