Catalytic conversion of cellulose to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural using montmorillonite-supported transition metal catalysts

With the growing emphasis on sustainable development, the efficient utilization of biomass resources has emerged as a critical area of research. In this study, a novel catalyst-transition metal-doped montmorillonite-was developed for the conversion of cellulose into 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF). The high specific surface area of montmorillonite, combined with the catalytic activity of transition metals, significantly enhances the efficiency and selectivity of cellulose conversion. Copper and iron ions were doped into montmorillonite, and the resulting catalysts were systematically evaluated for their catalytic properties. The structure, morphology, and catalytic performance of the catalysts were characterized using a range of techniques, and key factors such as the comparison of the doping content of a single metal, the doping ratio of two metals, cellulose-to-catalyst ratio, reaction time, and temperature were optimized. The catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance, achieving a 78.9 % yield of 5-HMF under mild conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst showed good reusability, maintaining 87.2 % of its initial activity after four cycles. This study provides a novel approach for the efficient catalytic conversion of cellulose and lays a foundation for the application of transition metal-doped catalysts in biomass utilization.