Mesoporous acid catalysts for renewable raw-material conversion into chemicals and fuel

Abstract

Mesoporous catalysts, such as silica (PMOs, MCM-41, SBA-15) and activated carbons, have been used in heterogeneous catalysis, due to a combination of high surface areas and controlled pore sizes. These mesoporous materials have been used as catalyst in a wide range of chemical reactions. Due to environmental pressure and a decrease in fossil fuel sources, alternative fuel sources, such as biomass or renewable feedstock sources, have become increasingly popular. Traditionally, the biomass conversion is carried out over homogeneous catalysts. However, homogeneous catalysts have some disadvantages, such as difficulty in separations and the production of toxic waste. Solid catalysts can replace the homogeneous ones in order to make the processes simpler and more environmentally benign. Heterogeneous catalysts have been used in different reactions biomass conversion. In this work, the use of mesoporous acid catalysts (silica and activated carbons) for the biomass conversion into chemicals and fuel will be reviewed.