Efficient conversion of xylose and corncob to furfural using a novel carbon-based solid acid derived from black liquor lignin-tin complexes

The novel carbon-based solid acid catalyst was prepared by carbonizing the mixture of metal salts and black liquor, followed by sulfonating. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by SEM, FTIR, BET, NH3-TPD, Py-IR, XPS, ICP, and elemental analysis. The catalytic ability of the catalyst was explored by converting xylose and corncob to furfural via a one-step process. The effects of solvent types and water contents, catalyst dosage, substrate concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time on furfural yield were evaluated. 93.4% of furfural yield was achieved using 200 mg xylose at 170 degrees C for 120 min with 150 mg catalysts. Moreover, the furfural yields of 82.5% were obtained from corncob. This work provides a promising strategy for synthesizing carbon-based solid acid catalysts from pulp waste black-liquid resources, which has a potential application for producing furfural from hemicellulose.