Pretreatment of Switchgrass for Production of Glucose via Sulfonic Acid-Impregnated Activated Carbon

In the present research, activated carbon-supported sulfonic acid catalysts were synthesized and tested as pretreatment agents for conversion of switchgrass into glucose. The by reacting sulfuric acid, methanesulfonic p-toluenesulfonic with carbon. characterization suggested an increase in surface acidities, while area pore volumes decreased because sulfonation. Batch experiments performed 125 mL serum bottles to investigate effects temperature (30, 60, 90 °C), reaction time (90 120 min) on yields Enzymatic hydrolysis pretreated using Ctec2 yielded up 57.13% Durability tests indicated that solid-impregnated carbon able maintain activity even after three cycles. From results obtained, solid appear serve effective can potentially reduce use conventional liquid acids bases biomass-into-biofuel production.