A porous B/L acid zeolite-based catalyst regulates and controls the degradation of biomass carbohydrates to produce levulinic acid/esters

Porous bi-functional catalsyts consisting of metals and zeolites are used as solid acid catalysts, characterized by octahedral morphology and good stability. In this work, a series of bifunctional catalysts (xZr-HY) with Lewis and Brønsted acid sites were prepared by a simple impregnation method, and used for the conversion of glucose to levulinic acid and methyl levulinate. The catalysts were characterized using different methods of physical and chemical properties. The analysis results showed that these catalysts existed in tetrahedral form with good pore structure , suitable acid strength and acidity. Using 10Zr-HY as the catalyst, 43.0 % yield of LA and ML could be obtained at 200 ℃ for 2.5 h. In addition, this catalytic system also gave high LA and ML yields from other biomass carbohydrates. Meanwhile, the 10Zr-HY catalyst had good stability and reusability after four cycles. This catalyst has the potential to convert biomass into high value-added platform compounds.