Cellulose hydrolysis over silica modified with chlorosulphonic acid in one pot synthesis

Titration of chlorosulphonic acid against sodium silicate was carried out via a simple one pot synthesis at room temperature to form an acid catalyst denoted as RHSO₃H. The BET measurements of the catalyst showed the surface area to be 80 m² g^-1. The FT-IR clearly showed the presence of -SO₂- absorption band at the expected range. The XPS showed the presence of O, Si, and S. The presence of S 2p on the XPS spectra indicated that the sulphonic acid groups (-SO₃H) are included into the catalyst structure. The RHSO₃H was efficient for the hydrolysis of cellulose, with maximum glucose yields over 99% at 120 C with 100% selectivity. As the solubility of cellulose is very important factor to make the hydrolysis much more easily. It was observed that the mixture of DMF/LiCl or cyclohexanol/LiCl has high ability to dissolve cellulose. The catalyst was simple in its preparation, stable during the cellulose hydrolysis in addition to repeatedly without a significant loss of its catalytic activity.