Sulfonic acid catalyst based on silica foam supported copolymer for hydrolysis of cellulose

•MCF loaded copolymer was fabricated with a 3D opening cellular structure.•MCF–copolymer supported sulfonic acid was accomplished via sulfonation.•High catalysis activity was obtained in hydrolysis of natural fibers.

Mesocellular silicon foam supported poly(chloromethylstyrene-co-divinylbenzene) (MCF–copolymer) was synthesized. It has a pore size of 24.2 nm. The pore volume and the surface area were 0.84 cm3/g and 246.9 m2/g, respectively. MCF–copolymer supported sulfonic acid was accomplished via sulfonation with concentrated sulfuric acid. The acid amount on the MCF–copolymer was 2.03 mmol/g. Hydrolysis of banana pseudo-stem fibers and microcrystalline cellulose was carried out over the catalyst. The large pore size favors the diffusion of molecules in catalyzing bulky molecules. The corresponding catalytic turnover frequencies (TOF) were 5.57 h− 1 and 8.066 h− 1.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide