One-pot photoreforming of cellulosic biomass waste to hydrogen by merging photocatalysis with acid hydrolysis

Environmental-friendly utilization and conversion of abundant lignocellulosic biomass waste into chemical fuels is considered as one of the efficient approaches developing renewable energy. Herein, we merge photocatalysis and acid hydrolysis to solve problems in biomass conversion and hydrogen production. Specifically, photocatalytic reforming cellulose to hydrogen has been accomplished by hydrolysis of cellulose in 0.6 M sulfuric acid solution at 403 K in the presence of a photocatalyst (e.g. platinized TiO2) under UV-light irradiation. Carbohydrates as the sacrificial electron donors are in situ generated via acid hydrolysis of cellulose. An unexpected production of 5-hydroxyl methyl furfural (HMF) has also been found during the combined process. In addition, efficient and repeatable hydrogen production has been achieved from photoreforming of raw biomass waste (paper pulp) as continuous supply of electron donors. Compared to traditional thermochemical gasification or pyrolysis of cellulose in high temperature and pressure, this work provides an alternative approach for producing hydrogen and valuable chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass.