CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF BIOMASS-DERIVED CARBOHYDRATES TO GREEN FUELS AND CHEMICALS USING A NOVEL COST-EFFECTIVE NANOCATLYSTS

This proposal aims to achieve several goals: reduce U.S. dependence on non-renewable petroleum, enhance energy security, facilitate the shift to a low-carbon economy, and create a new income source for forest-rich regions and farmers by making agricultural and forest residues more economically viable. The long-term objective is to expand the application of nanotechnology in the production of green fuels and chemicals from biomass through the development of novel nanocatalysts for efficient conversion processes. The team proposes to convert agricultural and forest-residue-derived carbohydrates into furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and 1,2-diols (such as 1,2-pentanediol and 1,2-butanediol) by using novel cost-effective and efficient multifunctional bimetallic magnetic nanocatalysts. Furthermore, the team proposes to use the same nanocatalysts for the conversion of furfural and HMF into high-value chemicals and biofuel additives, such as 5-(alkoxymethyl) furans (AMFs), 5-alkoxymethylfurfuryl alcohol (AMFAs), and 2,5-bis(alkoxymethyl) furans (BAMFs). The following supporting objectives will be accomplished in pursuit of the project goals and the long-term objective: 1) preparation and characterization of different novel multifunctional bimetallic magnetic nanocatalysts; 2) production of furfural and diols from biomass hydrolysate sugars (xylose and arabinose) and optimization of the conversion processes; 3) production of HMF from cellulose and optimization of the conversion processes; and 4) production of different furan based chemicals and biofuel additives from furfural and HMF and optimization of the conversion processes.