Highlights  Biomass-based activated carbon catalysts modified with Lewis or Brønsted acid sites were prepared  Catalysts were used to convert glucose to HMF in biphasic water:THF system  51% HMF yield was obtained with catalytic mixture containing both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites  The water phase containing the catalyst was recycled successfully Abstract Selective and efficient dehydration of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been widely explored research problem recently, especially from the perspective of more sustainable heterogeneous catalysts. In this study, activated carbon was first produced from a lignocellulosic waste material, birch sawdust. Novel heterogeneous catalysts were then prepared from activated carbon by adding Lewis or Brønsted acid sites on the carbon surface. Prepared catalysts were used to convert glucose to HMF in biphasic water:THF system at 160 °C. The highest HMF yield and selectivity, 51% and 78%, respectively, were obtained in 8 hours with a catalytic mixture containing both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites. Also, preliminary recycling experiments were performed. Based on this study, biomass-based activated carbon catalysts show promise for the conversion of glucose to HMF.

The process for producing activated carbon from peat was optimized. The peat was impregnated with different ratios of ZnCl2, and the impregnated biomass was activated at different temperatures. The specific surface area, pore size distribution, total carbon content, and yield of the activated carbon were investigated. The best results for the specific surface area and mesoporosity of the activated peat were obtained by using a high impregnation ratio (2) and high activation temperature (1073 K). Highly porous activated carbon was produced that had a specific surface area of approximately 1000 m2/g and total pore volume that was higher than 0.5 cm3/g for most samples. The activated carbon had a high degree of mesoporosity. The adsorptive properties of the activated carbon were determined with methylene blue and orange II dyes.

Bio‐based chemicals can be produced from furfural through hydrotreatment. In this study, 2‐methylfuran (MF), a potential biofuel component, was produced with Pt, Ru, and Ni catalysts supported on wood‐based activated carbons. The catalytic hydrotreatment experiments were conducted in a batch reactor at 210–240 °C with 2‐propanol as solvent and 40 bar H2 pressure. Two types of activated carbon supports were prepared by carbonization and activation of lignocellulosic biomass (forest‐residue‐based birch and spruce from Finland). Both types of activated carbons were suitable as catalyst supports, giving up to 100 % furfural conversions. The most important factors affecting the MF yield were the metal dispersion and particle size as well as reaction temperature. The highest observed MF yields were achieved with the noble metal catalysts with the highest dispersions at 240 °C after 120 min reaction time: 3 wt % Pt on spruce (MF yield of 50 %) and 3 wt % Ru on birch (MF yield of 49 %). Nickel catalysts were less active most likely owing to lower dispersions and incomplete metal reduction. Interesting results were obtained also with varying the metal loadings: the lower Pt loading (1.5 wt %) achieved almost the same MF yield as the 3 wt % catalysts, which can enable the production of MF with high yields and reduced catalyst costs. Based on this study, biomass‐based renewable activated carbons can be used as catalyst supports in furfural hydrotreatment with high conversions.