Exploring the Potential of H-Zeolites as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Chemical Recycling of Polysaccharides and Their Flexible Films

Author(s)

Fernandes, Rafaella F. ; Kalita, Naba K. ; Liguori, Anna ; Gonzalez, Ernesto A. Urquieta ; Hakkarainen, Minna ; Sobral, Paulo Jose A. ; Otoni, Caio G.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMSUSCHEM; v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2025-02-26.

Abstract

Zeolites are a group of crystalline aluminosilicates with exchangeable cations and molecular-dimensioned micropores, which have successfully been applied to transform biomass and waste into biofuels. Herein, the effectiveness of acidic H-zeolites in biomass transformation and chemical valorization is demonstrated. In this process, the Br & oslash;nsted/Lewis acid sites in zeolites catalyze the transition of carbohydrates into valuable chemicals. beta-glucan polymer extracted from the lichen Usnea was catalytically converted into value-added molecules, such as glucose monomers. Particular challenges to elucidate the zeolite-catalyzed beta-glucan conversion to glucose were addressed, namely: (i) water as the solvent, ii) hydrolysis of the biopolymer in an ionic liquid of 1-Butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide ([BVinIm]Br), and iii) reaction time of 30, 60, 120, and 240 min. Effective hydrolysis of beta-glucan was achieved by H-zeolites (H-Beta, H-Mordenite, and H-ZSM-5), and the formed glucose was quantified through the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method. Finally, applying H-zeolites as heterogeneous catalysts to prove the chemical recyclability of flexible films based on beta-glucan was demonstrated as a step forward in integrating biopolymer-based materials into the circular economy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/01339-3 - Lichen Beta-Glucan, a versatile and promising biopolymer for the development of biodegradable films
• Grantee: Paulo José do Amaral Sobral
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/12394-0 - Sustainable synthetic methods employing catalysis, benign solvents, safer reagents, and bio-renewable feedstock
• Grantee: Arlene Gonçalves Corrêa
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 23/09513-2 - b-glucan from lichens, versatile and promising polymer for the development of biodegradable films
• Grantee: Rafaella Ferreira Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• FAPESP's process: 21/12071-6 - Tailoring colloids through supramolecular interactions: from fundamentals to applications
• Grantee: Watson Loh
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants