Solvent-free solketal production from glycerol promoted by yeast activated carbons

Chemically activated carbons from yeast biomass waste were produced and later modified by treatment with HNO3 aiming at tuning their surface acid features. The obtained materials were successfully applied as catalyst in a solvent-free solketal production process and the modified series of activated carbons displayed above average catalytic performance reaching glycerol conversion of up to 91% (TOF of 215 h-1) with 97% of selectivity toward solketal, as well as remarkable efficiency in consecutive catalytic runs. The physicochemical and surface chemistry properties of the activated carbons were characterized by means of N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, thermal analysis, elemental analysis, surface functional groups titration (Boehm titration), X-rays diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.

Automated summary

Chemically activated carbons derived from yeast biomass waste were modified with HNO3 to enhance surface acid features for application as catalysts in solvent-free solketal production, achieving high glycerol conversion rates and selectivity towards solketal with remarkable efficiency in consecutive runs. Characterization of the activated carbons was done through various techniques including N2 adsorption/desorption, thermal analysis, elemental analysis, surface functional group titration (Boehm titration), X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy.