Preparation of hydrothermal carbon as catalyst support for conversion of biomass to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Suitable hydrothermal carbonization conditions including temperature (180-250 degrees C) and time (6-24 h) were determined for the preparation of glucose derived carbon material, used as a catalyst support for sugar and cellulose conversions. While hydrothermal carbons (HTCs) prepared at various conditions exhibited similar chemical and structural characteristics, examination of liquid fractions from hydrothermal carbonization provided additional evidence on the stability of the HTCs. The suitable hydrothermal carbonization condition was found to be 220 degrees C and 6 h, providing a stable carbon support that after sulfonation, yielded carbon-based acid catalyst (HTC220-6-SO3H) that exhibit relatively high catalytic activities for cellulose hydrolysis and fructose dehydration reaction, giving glucose and HMF yields of 43.63 +/- 1.62 wt.% and 20.29 +/- 1.09 wt.%, respectively.