Catalytic hydrolysis of cellobiose using different acid‐functionalised Fe ₃ O ₄ magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

The present study demonstrated the preparation of three different acid-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and evaluation for their catalytic efficacy in hydrolysis of cellobiose. Initially, iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4)MNPs were synthesised, which further modified by applying silica coating (Fe 3 O 4-MNPs@Si) and functionalised with alkylsulfonic acid (Fe 3 O 4-MNPs@Si@AS), butylcarboxylic acid (Fe 3 O 4-MNPs@Si@BCOOH) and sulphonic acid (Fe 3 O 4-MNPs@Si@SO 3 H) groups. The Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the presence of above-mentioned acid functional groups on MNPs. Similarly, X-ray diffraction pattern and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed the crystalline nature and elemental composition of MNPs, respectively. TEM micrographs showed the synthesis of spherical and polydispersed nanoparticles having diameter size in the range of 20-80 nm. Cellobiose hydrolysis was used as a model reaction to evaluate the catalytic efficacy of acid-functionalised nanoparticles. A maximum 74.8% cellobiose conversion was reported in case of Fe 3 O 4-MNPs@Si@SO 3 H in first cycle of hydrolysis. Moreover, thus used acid-functionalised MNPs were magnetically separated and reused. In second cycle of hydrolysis, Fe 3 O 4-MNPs@Si@SO 3 H showed 49.8% cellobiose conversion followed by Fe 3 O 4-MNPs@Si@AS (45%) and Fe 3 O 4-MNPs@Si@BCOOH (18.3%). However, similar pattern was reported in case of third cycle of hydrolysis. The proposed approach is considered as rapid and convenient. Moreover, reuse of acid-functionalised MNPs makes the process economically viable.

Catalytic hydrolysis of agar using magnetic nanoparticles: optimization and characterization

“…To address a variety of challenges, including the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, biofuels, such as bioethanol obtained from the synthesis of algal biomass, may be considered a practical substitute for fossil fuels [ 9 – 11 ]. Compared with lignocellulosic biomass, algal biomass (agar) comprises a high concentration of polysaccharides and lipids free of lignin, easing hydrolysis [ 12 , 13 ].…”