Preparation of SnO2–Co3O4/C biochar catalyst as a Lewis acid for corncob hydrolysis into furfural in water medium

The process of corncob hydrolysis to furfural in this paper included the saccharification of hemicellulose to monosaccharide, isomerization of xylose to xylulose and dehydration of xylulose to furfural. The SnO2–Co3O4/C biochar catalyst was prepared by containing sugar solution and lignocelluloses residue from corncob degradation, as well as the mixture of Sn(IV) and Co(II) hydroxide. The maximum yield of furfural have been achieved as 30.0% with 0.3 g SnO2–Co3O4–2/C catalyst for catalytic hydrolysis at 180 °C for duration 200 min. Xylose isomerization using a solid Lewis acid catalyst in water medium is a key step for increasing furfural production from corncob hydrolysis.

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