Hydrothermal Hydrolysis of Pretreated Corn Husk into Reducing Sugars Using Sulfonated Carbon-Based Solid Acid and Ionic Liquid

Katnanipa Wanchai; Jutawadee  Mingmongkut

doi:10.53848/ssstj.v13i1.1420

Authors

Katnanipa Wanchai Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University
Jutawadee Mingmongkut Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53848/ssstj.v13i1.1420

Keywords:

Carbon-based solid acid, C-SO3H, Pretreated corn husk, Hydrothermal hydrolysis, Ionic liquid, Reducing sugar

Abstract

This study investigates the hydrothermal hydrolysis of pretreated corn husk into reducing sugars using a sulfonated carbonaceous solid acid catalyst (C-SO₃H) in combination with the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl). The C-SO₃H catalyst was synthesized via one-step hydrothermal carbonization-sulfonation and subsequently characterized by FTIR, SEM, and acid-base titration. The catalyst exhibited abundant Brønsted acid sites (-SO₃H, -COOH, and -OH) with a total acidity of 1.25 mmol/g. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction duration, catalyst loading, and ionic liquid dosage on the hydrothermal hydrolysis of pretreated corn husk were systematically investigated. Under the optimal conditions (120°C, 3 h, 15 wt.% catalyst loading, and 1.5 g of [BMIM]Cl per gram of corn husk), the maximum total reducing sugar yield of 82.8% was achieved. The enhanced hydrolysis efficiency is attributed to the synergistic effect between the strong Brønsted acidity of C-SO₃H and the cellulose-dissolving capability of [BMIM]Cl under hydrothermal conditions. In addition, the catalyst demonstrated good recyclability, maintaining satisfactory activity over three consecutive cycles. These results highlight an efficient and environmentally friendly approach for the valorization of agricultural residues into reducing sugars, with potential applicability in biorefinery processes.

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