Fast pyrolysis of cellulose with solid acid catalysts for levoglucosenone

Various metal oxides, such as zirconia, titania, and alumina, were screened as solid acid catalysts in the fast pyrolysis of cellulose for levoglucosenone production. The liquid yields were affected by the properties of the catalyst, and an increase in levoglucosenone was observed with the addition of mesoporous metal oxides. Good catalytic properties were observed for anatase titanium oxide with an optimum surface area and pore diameter resulting in a levoglucosenone yield that was as much as 4.98%. The activities of calcined sulfated zirconia increased substantially compared to zirconia-impregnated sulfuric acid without calcination. In the presence of solid super-acid SO42−/ZrO2, cellulose produced levoglucosenone in a 7.25% yield.