Catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose with sulfated metal oxides: A promising method for obtaining high yield of light furan compounds

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass-spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was employed to achieve fast pyrolysis of cellulose and on-line analysis of the pyrolysis vapors. Three sulfated metal oxides (SO42-/TiO2, SO42-/ZrO2 and SO42-/SnO2) were prepared and used for catalytic cracking of the pyrolysis vapors. The distribution of the pyrolytic products was significantly altered by the catalysts. Those important primary pyrolytic products, such as levoglucosan and hydroxyacetaldehyde, were significantly decreased or even completely eliminated. Meanwhile, the catalysis increased three light furan compounds (5-methyl furfural, furfural and furan) greatly. In regard to the selectivity of the three catalysts, the SO42-/SnO2 was the most effective catalyst for obtaining 5-methyl furfural, while the SO42-/TiO2 favored the formation of furfural and the SO42-/ZrO2 favored the formation of furan.