Synergy of Microwave and Graphene-Based Catalysis for Conversion of Sugars Into Useful Chemicals

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K05202
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 34030:Green sustainable chemistry and environmental chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: QUITAIN ARMANDO 熊本大学, 大学教育統括管理運営機構, 教授 (50504693)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: microwave carbocatalysis / graphene oxide / sugars / 5-HMF / subcritical water / functionalization / SDGs / carbon neutral

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have succeeded in reducing graphene oxide (GO) at milder conditions of 200 ℃ using microwave-hydrothermal approach. The reduced GO shows high catalytic activity on the conversion of sugars (e. g. glucose, fructose, etc.) into useful products such as 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF) obtaining yield above 50%. Doping rGO with metal ion such as Fe and Cu further improved the catalytic activity. The effect on fructose as starting material was observed to be more significant than glucose.
The reaction mechanism was elucidated and the parameters were calculated by computer simulation. In addition, the proposed approach was applied to conversion of various biomass materials into useful platform chemicals and fuels in collaboration with universities in Southeast Asia and Europe. This approach also contributes to the attainment of many UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and the realization of Carbon Neutral Society by 2050.

Free Research Field

超臨界流体工学及びマイクロ波技術

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で得られた成果及び提案されたアプローチは、東南アジアおよびヨーロッパの大学と協力して、さまざまなバイオマス材料を有用なプラットフォーム化学物質および燃料に変換するために適用された。このアプローチは、2030 年までの多くの国連持続可能な開発目標（UN SDGs）の達成及び2050 年までのカーボン ニュートラル社会の実現にも貢献することを目指す。